Pogacar had a constructive visit after the biggest defeat of his career at the Col du Granon on Wednesday evening. “I saw my girlfriend, that gave me strength,” said the 23-year-old before the start in Briançon, radiating great confidence. “I’m ready to fight. I slept well and will attack.”
Next Corona setback for Pogacar
In the morning, however, Pogacar had to accept the next corona-related setback. Matxin Fernandez, team UAE’s sporting director, said he had tested positive for the coronavirus. Drivers George Bennett and Vegard Stake Laengen had previously had to leave the tour due to an infection. Pogacar’s most important helper Rafal Majka, on the other hand, was allowed to stay in the race. The Pole benefits from a new rule that allows an asymptomatic and non-contagious rider to continue on the Tour despite a positive test.
After the spectacular stage to the Col du Granon, the hardest part of the tour began relatively calmly. A group of six riders got up early, which was joined by others like four-time Tour winner Chris Froome at the Col du Galibier. Despite the national holiday, only one Frenchman was among the escapees. Simon Geschke also tried an attack, but was unsuccessful. The Berliner therefore remained without points at the 2642 high pass, the highest point of this year’s tour.
In the field, Vingegaard’s team Jumbo-Visma easily controlled the pace. Anyone who had expected an early attack from the dethroned leader Tadej Pogacar was disappointed. In view of Jumbo’s strength, it would have been quite a daring undertaking for the Slovenian. Instead, Pogacar conserved his strength, hiding in the field in his white jersey of the best young professional. Even on the Col de la Croix de Fer, the second of three mountains in the highest category, things stayed quiet among the favorites, so that the big show only began on the way to the Alpe d’Huez.
Chance for sprinters on Friday
After the two massively difficult high mountain stages, the riders can relax a little on Friday. Over 192.6 kilometers from Le Bourg d’Oisans to Saint-Etienne, only two mountains of the third category and one of the second category await.
It offers the sprinters one of the few chances of a mass finish. But the sprinter teams would have to work for that, because breakaways could hope for a stage win. Like in 2019, when Belgian Thomas De Gendt triumphed single-handedly in Saint-Etienne.