Tadej Pogačar / Image: imago images / Panoramic Internati
Tignes / Vienna. Tadej Pogačar gave cycling one of the most exciting moments when he won the Tour de France overall on the penultimate stage in September. So it was no surprise that the Slovenian started as one of the favorites at this year's 108th edition. That the 22-year-old left his competition behind after the first week of the tour, yes.
Pogačar himself is responsible for this on the one hand. His sovereign victory in the time trial on Wednesday must have demoralized the competition, his solo on the first Alpine stage on Saturday had destroyed them to a certain extent: the UAE professional was almost two minutes ahead of his rivals . The ease of his steps uphill was just as astonishing as the subsequent evaluation: he is said to have put 6.3 watts / kilo into the pedals over the 8.7 kilometers with an average gradient of 9.4 percent – impressive to frightening values. Pogačar has been preparing specifically for the tour since April, and the plan seems to be working.
On the other hand, as the remaining winning candidates, they despair not only of the defending champion in top form, but also of lack of fortune. Primož Roglič, second in the previous year, was one of the prominent fall victims with Geraint Thomas, they tormented their way up the mountain on Saturday like Chris Froome despite the experience of ten Grand Tour victories in the suspended group of sprinters. “It's tough on the head,” said Thomas, Tour winner of 2018. Roglič took the necessary steps and got out of the tour on Sunday. “It doesn't make sense to keep going. I was in great pain. I'm disappointed, ”said the 31-year-old. His focus is now on the Olympic road race (July 24th).
In the end, the organizers' risky route selection could also have cost the hoped-for tension. Because how hard sections such as the two-time descent of Mont Ventoux are waiting, who should stop this Pogačar? “I didn't kill the tour. There is still a long way to go, ”said the defending champion. At the mountain arrival in Tignes on Sunday, the Australian Ben O'Connor secured the day's victory after an escape, but in the peloton Pogačar once again set the pace. In the final ascent, he once again left his competitors behind in the overall standings and continued to build up his cushion in sixth place. He can enjoy the rest day today, a challenger is not in sight.
