Tim Wellens wins first Tour de France stage as Tadej Pogacar retains lead

Tim Wellens of Belgium broke away from the pack at the top of the final climb to win Stage 15 at the Tour de France on Sunday.

It was the first-ever stage win for Wellens, who crossed the finish line 88 seconds ahead of countryman Victor Campenaerts and 96 seconds in front of France's Julian Alaphilippe. It was a 169.3-kilometer journey from Muret to Carcassonne as the race moved from the Pyrenees toward the Alps.

Wellens' teammate, Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia, finished the stage more than six minutes behind Wellens but maintained the yellow jersey as the overall leader.

Pogacar, the three-time and defending champion, increased his lead over Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark by four seconds to four minutes and nine seconds. Florian Lipowitz of Germany is in third, nearly eight minutes back.

The cyclists have a day of rest on Monday before the final push of the 21-stage race, which will conclude on July 27 in Paris.

On Tuesday, Stage 16 will take the riders on a 171.5-kilometer mountain trek from Montpellier to Mont Ventoux.

--Field Level Media