Tour de France chief Tadej Pogačar got here by means of one other stage he would possibly label as “boring” on Saturday, ending safely within the peloton in Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises after one other quiet day for many of the Tour’s riders.
As has been the case with a number of of the sprinter-friendly levels up to now, stage 8 introduced little motion earlier than the ultimate, with polka dot jersey holder Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility) the one rider within the break for the lion’s share of the day.
Pogačar, who stated on Friday that “this week is a bit bit like there’s nothing to stay up for”, will little doubt be relishing the prospect of one other GC showdown on the gravel roads round Troyes on stage 9, even when, as he stated, the race might properly be misplaced there.
“You must be much more sharp, much more centered than in the present day,” Pogačar stated after the conclusion of stage 8. “And you might want to watch out in every gravel sector, every entrance, every exit. And there could also be wind and rain.
“There’s going to be quite a lot of issues that may trigger you crash or get caught behind. So, it isn’t going to be decisive, however you’ll be able to lose the Tour tomorrow.
“You may be the very best on the gravel, however when you have a puncture on the fallacious second, you’ll be able to lose time, for positive. Tomorrow’s going to be quite a bit about having good group management and focus to the end line.”
Some riders and group workers, most notably Soudal-QuickStep boss Patrick Lefevere, have voiced their opposition to the inclusion of gravel levels in Grand Tours, saying that operating stage races over roads like which means introducing an excessive amount of of a component of luck.
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However, Pogačar shrugged off such questions, solely saying that he was right here to experience it and that “quite a lot of different issues can occur”, like many different levels of the Tour.
“There are at all times these questions – ‘Is this stage proper in or not within the Tour?’ I’m not the one to ask, I must race it, whether or not it is there or not. It’s simply one other impediment within the Tour de France. Like each different stage, quite a lot of different issues can occur. You must be prepared from begin to end. It can get sophisticated within the race.
“Tomorrow there isn’t a favorite. Mads Pedersen – if he could be right here. Now I do not see a pure favorite, as a result of there isn’t a single group to manage or no matter, no single breakaway or no matter. It will likely be fascinating tomorrow.”
One facet of the race that ought to be predictable is the hierarchy at Pogačar’s UAE Team Emirates. The Tour’s first mountain stage over the Col du Galibier noticed a contact of drama within the camp as João Almeida appeared to chastise Juan Ayuso for not using on the entrance because the squad raced to arrange their chief.
Pogačar stated that the temper within the group is sweet, whereas additionally responding to a query about rumours of discontent with a zipped mouth gesture.
“I’ve learn some stuff,” he stated as he made the motion. “Obviously, we’ve got a extremely robust group – João, Juan and Adam [Yates] – actually shut on GC. It’s card to have really and for now, the temper nonetheless fairly good.
“We will see how the temper will likely be within the final week. It’s the primary time racing with João and Juan collectively and I did not race quite a bit with Juan. It ought to be wonderful. We all know why we’re right here, and what the primary aim is. So far, so good.”
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