2023-07-10 10:44:00
What was the most memorable moment of the Tour?
Jean-Baptiste Duluc
I could have chosen Victor Lafay’s victory in San Sebastian or the emotion of Mathieu van der Poel on Sunday July 10 at the start, in Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat, but I will stick to Tadej Pogacar’s attack towards Cauterets – Cambasque. Because it’s a key moment in the history of this 110th edition, already. The day before, Jonas Vingegaard had just – it was thought – knocked out the Tour de France by crushing the Slovenian and the competition. We feared to attend a solo horseman. But not at all.
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In the climb to Cauterets-Cambasque, Pogacar achieved what he had not achieved in the Grand Tour since the Tignes stage in 2021: let go of Vingegaard. A violent, spectacular, effective attack which revived the suspense of the Tour. But this 6th stage is above all this image of Pogacar, his face marked by pain, drawing from the depths of himself, with a mixture of aggressiveness, revenge and pride. An indelible memory and, already, a strong image of this Tour 2023.
A lightning attack: Pogacar deposed Vingegaard
Christophe Gaudot
Jean-Baptiste chose a positive moment, undoubtedly the most beautiful, at least the most spectacular, of this start of the Tour de France. I’m going to break the mood and retain the image of Mark Cavendish in tears in an ambulance, a symbol of his abandonment on the 8th stage of the Tour on the road to Limoges. The Briton had no chance of winning there, but he had sown a promise the day before. Ultimately not held.
The Tour is a roller coaster. It is full of stories of redemption and Mark Cavendish seemed capable of writing a new chapter in its rich history. Friday in Bordeaux, he had been beaten only by the unbeatable Jasper Philipsen, suggesting that he had this 35th victory-record in his legs. We will never know because the Man of Man had to leave the Tour with a heavy heart. I confess to having felt great pain to see him lying there on the road on Saturday.
Stupor on the Tour: Cavendish falls and must abandon
Pogacar or Vingegaard: who is the favorite now?
Jean-Baptiste Duluc
Vingegaard in Marie-Blanque, Pogacar in Cauterets and Puy de Dôme… The two men have gone blow for blow since the start of the Grande Boucle. Never has the duel between the Dane and the Slovenian seemed as contested and tight as it is – so far – this year. The heart tends towards Tadej Pogacar but the reason continues to go to the leader of Jumbo-Visma. Jonas Vingegaard says it himself: “There are stages which arrive and which suit me better”.
Vingegaard is satisfied: “It was not my best day”
There is no doubt that the Dane is thinking of that of La Loze, with this series of passes and a long ascent at an altitude of more than 2000m where he is “supposed” to be a little stronger than the Slovenian. That didn’t stop Pogacar from following him into the Tourmalet and I doubt we’ll see a huge display from Vingegaard that day. But in a Tour that could be played in a few seconds, this Courchevel stage, as well as the clear superiority of the Jumbo-Visma over UAE, make me lean towards the Dane.
Laurent Vergne
Ten days ago, when, in the very first episode of the Tour 2023 debates, the same question arose. I had answered Jonas Vingegaard. While here we are on the first day of rest, I can not see myself changing my mind, especially since the Dane turns in the lead, yellow jersey on his shoulders. However, I admit that I was very close to doing so in view of the impression given by the two men during the last two mountain stages.
Tadej Pogacar’s reply was masterful at Cauterets and Puy de Dôme, and paradoxically, he has more often taken time at Vingegaard than the opposite since the Grand Départ from the Basque Country. The defending champion has only struck once so far, but he has done some damage. And beyond the impressions, it is he who is in yellow as the mid-Tour approaches.
Moreover, I tend to agree with his analysis: yes, the course will be more favorable to him in the second half of the race. High altitude, long passes that follow one another, etc. I don’t think he’s giving in to any form of Coué method by saying that. Quite frankly, this duel can go one way or the other and there will be no surprises anyway as long as the winner is called Vingegaard or Pogacar which, except for a double twist of fate, will be the case in two weeks in Paris.
What’s the biggest disappointment so far?
Jean-Baptiste Duluc
Although I am pleasantly surprised by the duo of INEOS Grenadiers Thomas Pidcock – Carlos Rodriguez, the disappointments are more numerous and I prefer to dwell on the one who, in my opinion, is the strongest after nine days of racing: Mikel Landa . It must be said that I expected a lot from the Spaniard from Bahrain-Victorious, who seemed in the form of his life at the start of the season and who dreamed of the podium. It is now very, very far.
Mikel Landa (Bahrain – Victorious) in the ascent of the Puy de Dôme, on the Tour 2023
Credit: Getty Images
The Basque had however started ideally by being with the best on “his” roads in Bilbao and San Sebastian, but he lived through hell in the Pyrenees (2’55”, then 1’02” lost on Hindley). He was still picked up at Puy de Dôme (1’50” conceded on Simon Yates). Landa has already accustomed us to climbs thanks to mountain flights but, with 6’29” behind Hindley, it seems impossible this time. His podium hopes will have to wait another year, six years after letting him slip away for a second in favor of Romain Bardet.
Christophe Gaudot
I want to talk about Julian Alaphilippe. I know that some are wondering if the performances of the French double world champion are really a disappointment on this Tour de France, given those that have been his since the start of the season. I quite agree on the observation, the level of the rider of the Soudal-Quick Step is in line with that of his overall season. This is precisely what disappointed me.
Alaphilippe, in the foreground, Van Aert, in the center – 6th stage of the Tour de France 2023
Credit: Getty Images
Winner at the Dauphiné, Alaphilippe was coming out of a training course at altitude and seemed to have been able to prepare for this Tour de France in the best possible way. So I thought he could gain momentum and weigh on the first weekend. I’m not saying that I imagined him in yellow, but I thought he was capable of being there, close to the best. He was ultimately never in this battle. Neither in the Basque Country, nor in the Pyrenees, nor in Limoges. Does this mean that we must acknowledge that Alaphilippe has definitely fallen into line? I can’t bring myself to do it and still believe he can win a stage in this Tour de France.
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