Time and once more this season, Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) has stood head and shoulders above any of his so-called rivals. But on a day of relentless climbing in stage 11 of the Tour de France, the hitherto seemingly unimaginable state of affairs lastly occurred – and after Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) beat Pogačar in a two-up dash – the fuse had lastly been lit on a dramatic GC battle between the Danish defending champion and the Slovenian star.
When the Tour de France chief pulled away from the remainder of the general contenders 500 metres from the summit of Le Puy Mary Pas de Peyrol, it had all the texture of an assault by Pogačar that would go away the Tour determined with practically half of the race left to go.
But as a substitute of the Massif Central mountains witnessing a repeat of the Pogačar runaway assault to Tignes in 2021, Vingegaard clawed his means again into competition on the class 2 Col de Pertus that adopted, in the end overhauling Pogačar for the stage victory.
While Pogačar insisted later that the double-defending Tour de France champion could be very a lot “within the type of his life”, the jury could also be out on that exact query and Vingegaard himself denies it.
But in both case, after Pogačar´s first defeat by his arch-rival Vingegaard on this yr’s Tour, and considered one of only a tiny handful of setbacks this season, the GC race is not – as at some factors it has appeared – flowing irresistibly within the Slovenian’s favour.
“It was a dash after a tricky, robust day and he was 5 centimetres sooner than me, chapeau to him,” Pogačar informed reporters about his shock defeat.
“Now all people sees he’s in the most effective form of profession, now we are able to say it’s a good combat. In my opinion, if the followers had been watching, this was top-of-the-line levels of the race.
The newest race content material, interviews, options, opinions and knowledgeable shopping for guides, direct to your inbox!
“Of course, I’m a bit disillusioned, however I nonetheless had a great day trip, notably within the warmth. I´m happy with the day I had and so hats off to Jonas, however there will likely be extra alternatives.”
While Vingegaard´s comeback seems to be going from power to power, Pogačar mentioned that his personal technique had been to go all out on the Puy Mary, a climb the place he holds the document for the quickest ascent for the reason that 2020 Tour de France, after which attempt to keep away alone to the end.
“I simply wished to go for it as a result of I do know this climb very well, reasonably than making a niche on the descent that adopted. I believed I might go all the best way to the end, like on the Galibier, however Jonas was actually good on the second-last climb.”
Pogačar’s transfer on the Puy Mary seemed to be a knock-out blow, however then on the next ascent, he didn’t appear to be shifting as easily or with practically as a lot conviction. To cap all of it, the Slovenian mentioned, not understanding how far he needed to the end left him feeling “a bit confused”.
On the opposite hand, Vingegaard was “actually flying”. After wanting again and catching sight of the Danish star in scorching pursuit, Pogačar mentioned he “waited for him, rested a bit”.
“Maybe it will have been higher to go over the restrict to attempt to maintain the hole on the climb. But he was going very well,” Pogačar admitted. “Well, on the downhill, I felt fairly good, till one nook, my bike went actually sideways. I used to be possibly spending an excessive amount of power earlier than the beginning of second climb, however I nonetheless went good.
“And then I look ahead to him simply because I knew that in any case, he’ll come again even after the highest. So I attempt to get better a bit, take the bonus seconds and attempt to play for the dash ultimately.”
Just a few kilometres additional on, Pogačar was left reeling by Vingegaard´s closing dash for the road.
The UAE Team Emirates chief stays very a lot accountable for GC, and because of his assault has pushed his closest rival Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) to over a minute’s drawback. It additionally shouldn’t be forgotten that it’s not the primary time he´s misplaced a small group dash on a hilly stage of a race this yr. On stage 1 of the Giro d’Italia, Pogačar put in a blistering assault on the ultimate climb, solely to be outpowered within the sprint for the road by Jhonatan Narvaez (Ineos Grenadiers).
However, Pogačar was greater than capable of put the document straight the next day at Oropa, taking an total lead that he would by no means relinquish all the best way to Rome. This time spherical when it got here to rivals, he mentioned, issues between himself and Vingegaard had been far more evenly matched proper now.
“At one level on this stage, considered one of us was higher, at one other it was one other one,” he argued. “We had been fairly equal all spherical.
“The Pyrenees, it is completely different racing than at present. In Pyrenees, it’s greater climbs, a special model of racing. I’m extra ready for that type of racing than what was at present.
“We will see what occurs within the actually excessive mountains, however for now, we’re roughly on the same stage.”
Get limitless entry to all of our protection of the Tour de France – together with breaking information and evaluation reported by our journalists on the bottom from each stage of the race because it occurs and extra. Find out extra.