Tadej Pogacar won the 12th stage of Tour de France on the strength of a dominant ride as the race entered the Pyrenees Mountains, with Thursday's stunning performance leaving main rival Jonas Vingegaard gasping for air on the slopes of the Hautacam.

Slovenia's defending world champion Pogacar took no prisoners in the 13.5 kilometer climb through suffocating heat, while two-time Tour de France winner Vingegaard finished two minutes and 10 seconds behind, and now trails the reigning titleholder by an overall margin of three minutes and 31 seconds, following the first high-mountain leg of this year's race.

The stage victory served as a measure of sweet revenge for Pogacar, who was humiliated by Vingegaard on the same climb three years ago, with that showing helping the man from Denmark claim his first title.

German rider Florian Lipowitz crossed the line a further 13 seconds off the pace, taking third place in the 180.6 kilometer trek. Pogacar will now seek his fourth stage victory in this year's race, while Vingegaard hopes to regain lost ground, as the competitors look to conquer Friday's mountain time trial.