2023-07-20 21:59:00
Tadej Pogacar received the biggest slap of his career at the Tour de France on Wednesday’s queen stage. We remember the collapse at the Col du Granon last year when he lost the yellow jersey, which he has never seen since.
Last Tuesday’s fight against the clock was also a used day for the Slovenian, as he missed 1:38 on the Passy-Combloux road to Jonas Vingegaard in the only Tour time trial.
But on Wednesday it was different again and harder to swallow. Because he completely exploded, because Vingegaard was far from the only one to finish in Courchevel before him. The extent of the debacle and the thought of having lost the tour prematurely and for good left the peloton’s bright star stunned.
“I’ve recovered from it, even if it was difficult at first,” admitted the 24-year-old on Thursday evening under the Bourg-en-Bresse sun the day after the disaster. He “slept well”, as if tiredness had overtaken disillusionment and the worries that went with it when the light was turned off…
He was still hung over when he pulled up to the start area in Moûtiers on Thursday morning, but the man in the white jersey was supported by most of his colleagues, which particularly touched him: “There were a lot of emotions at the start this morning. Everyone came to talk to me and to console me and I want to thank everyone. And it was nice to spend this more relaxed day in the peloton.”
WHEN I LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE, WE CAN BE PROUD OF OURSELVES
It wasn’t the first expression of affection “Pogi” had experienced in the last 24 hours. There was a lot of encouragement from his partner Urska Zigart and his family. Logical. But the Slovenian was less likely to be “consoled” by roadside spectators than he was on Wednesday and Thursday. “I can’t believe all the support I received throughout the climb to the Col de la Loze.”
“The crowd along the street… I’m grateful to have all these fans to support me,” he admitted. Stage 18 has undoubtedly boosted his morale, and while the balance sheet and questions will be plentiful soon, the UAE Emirates captain wants to focus on finishing this tour with his head held high.
“When I look at the bigger picture, we can be proud of ourselves,” he said of the Emirates team. I’m still second overall, Adam (Yates) is third and we’ve won two stages and maybe we can win another one.”
Saving what can be saved and mitigating the disappointment. A bit of balm for the soul after the double smack in the third week of the tour. “In any case, we have to keep fighting to manifest Adam and I on the podium in Paris,” he says.
Tadej Pogacar in an interview after the 18th stage of the Tour de France
Fotocredit: Eurosport
“And, if my legs open up again, why shouldn’t I try to win the last mountain stage on Saturday?”
Tadej Pogacar is feeling better again. He was even seen smiling once or twice during the 18th stage. How his legs are is another question. He will find out by Saturday in the Vosges at the latest.
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