In the opening time trial of the Tour de France, Tadej Pogacar takes the first few seconds from his rival in the fight for the yellow jersey. This is primarily a psychological advantage.
Applause erupted from the UAE team bus as Tadej Pogacar rolled up. The teammates, mechanics and carers clapped enthusiastically when the 23-year-old Slovenian returned from his first outing at the Tour de France returned in 2022.
The rainy individual time trial of the 1st stage through the city center of Copenhagen had Pogacar exceptionally not as the winner, but ended in third place. But all those who want to take on the two-time overall winner in the fight for overall victory are now a few seconds behind.
Hence the applause on the team bus. “I’m sure now that I’m in good shape”said Pogacar. “I’m in a good position but there are still 20 stages to go.”
“He’s a Phenomenon”
The reference to the fact that the race has only just begun is of course justified. Conclusions about the further course of the race would be premature.
But the Tour de France is always a mental battle alongside the physical duel on the street. And Pogacar has gained a first small psychological advantage over its competitors.
“He is a phenomenon, unique. He can do everything”gushed the Welshman Geraint Thomasthe 2018 Tour winner who lost 18 seconds on Pogacar and by his own performance was rather frustrated.
Team Jumbo-Visma’s Primoz Roglic lost nine seconds. His Danish team-mate Jonas Vingegaard, spurred on by cheers from his compatriots who were enthusiastic despite the bad weather, was a second quicker.
No risk on wet roads
The Russian Alexander Vlasov, who leads the German team Bora-hansgrohe in the fight for the podium in Paris, was even 24 seconds slower than Pogacar, partly because he didn’t want to take any risks on the rain-soaked, greasy roads. “It’s better to slow down than fall”said Vlasov. “I tried not to lose too much time.”
Risk assessment was also a factor at Pogacar, explained the UAE team manager, Matxin Joxean Fernandez, who had been in the car behind his exceptional driver. But he still acted as usual.
“It’s easy with Tadej – flat out,” said Fernandez. For this, Pogacar was allowed to pick up the first white jersey for the best young professional at the end of the first day.
Day winner Lampaert in shock
In the meantime, Yves Lampaert from the team surprisingly found himself wearing the yellow jersey Quickstep– Alpha vinyl again. To his own amazement, the 31-year-old Belgian completed the 13.2-kilometer course in best time.
Lampaert was two seconds quicker than compatriot Wout Van Aert and seven seconds quicker than Pogacar. When his victory was certain, he seemed downright shocked and then, even on the podium, with tears in his eyes, he kept clapping his face in his hand.
Lampaert traveled to the tour as a fast-paced part of Fabio Jacobsen’s sprint train, who is considered the favorite for the mass sprints in the coming days. The goal remains a stage win for Jacobsen, explained Lampaert. The yellow jersey will not change that either.
Sooner or later he will give up the Maillot Jaune anyway. But the happiness of having worn cycling’s most important piece of cloth will remain. “My career,” said Lampaert, “is complete.”
This does not apply to Tadej Pogacar. Despite his two tour victories, he is only at the beginning of his career. Ahead of the start of the Tour de France, he was asked if he was aware that in years to come he could be promoted to the illustrious club of five-time overall winners and make history. “No”said Pogacar. “I don’t think about history. I live in the here and now and I want to have fun.”
On this rainy Friday in Copenhagen he once again succeeded quite well.