Vingegaard’s lead over the two-time champion from Slovenia in the overall standings is now just 17 seconds. And the trend speaks against last year’s winner: Pogacar is getting better every day, Vingegaard has already been unable to follow two attacks. But the Dane is not deterred by this. “I’m happy to have the yellow jersey after the first week. The previous stages suited Tadej better than me. I’m looking forward to the Alps,” said Vingegaard, but admitted: “It will be a bitter fight to the end.”
Bjarne Riis is less optimistic. The first Danish Tour winner saw unexpected weaknesses in his compatriot. “No doubt the heat got to him. It’s never good to lose time on your biggest rivals, but he kept the damage in check,” the 59-year-old wrote in his column for BT newspaper. “Tadej Pogacar tasted blood. I think he’s a little mad at himself for not attacking sooner.”
IMAGO/Sirotti Stefano Pogacar had the better end of the ascent to the Puy de Dome
Advantage shrinks continuously
The duel seemed almost decided after the first mountain stage. Vingegaard took over a minute from Pogacar. The unanimous opinion was that the 24-year-old was still suffering from the consequences of a scaphoid fracture sustained at the end of April. But Pogacar hit back in champion style, winning the next two mountain finishes. The difference in performance between the two dominators is marginal, currently probably in the eight seconds that Pogacar Vingegaard took before the rest day.
more on the subject
Gall tackles the overall standings
There has long been talk of the closest result in tour history being undercut: in 1989, winner Greg LeMond was only eight seconds apart from Laurent Fignon. In France, the duel attracts the masses and lures them to the track and in front of the television despite the start of the holiday season and temperatures above 30 degrees. On Sunday, eight million fans watched at the top when the Puy de Dome was climbed again for the first time in 35 years.
“I’m here to win”
Pogacar is in a perfect position. Mentally, because the last two mountain finishes definitely had an effect on Vingegaard. Tactically, because he’s not (yet) wearing the yellow jersey, which saves his team a lot of work at the front of the field. After his training break of several weeks and due to the lack of racing practice, the Slovenian had already counted on getting in better shape over the course of the tour. “I’m very happy that I can put Jonas under pressure,” said Pogacar. “I’m here to win.”
In the second week of the tour there should be a little breather in the duel at the top. The stages up to Thursday are designed for breakaways and sprinters. In addition, the heat hanging over the central massif should only be discharged in a thunderstorm on Wednesday.
On Friday it will become clear whether Vingegaard’s anticipation of the Alps is justified. The stage ends after more than 17 kilometers of unrhythmic ascent on the Grand Colombier, the Dane shouldn’t lose any more time. His focus should be on the final week when it comes to the 2,304 meter high Col de la Loze. In terms of height, at least the Tourmalet has shown that the defending champion may have advantages over Pogacar.
rating
Standing behind nine of 21 stages: 1. Jonas Vingegaard DEN 38:38:03 2. Tadej Pogacar SLO + 0:17 3. Jai Hindley AUS 2:40 4. Carlos Rodriguez ESP 4:22 5. Adam Yates GBR 4:3 6. Simon Yates GBR 4:44 7. Tom Pidcock GBR 5:26 8. David Gaudu FROM 6:01 9. Sepp Kuss USA 6:45 10. Romain Bardet FROM 6:5
Felix Gall
AUT
9:46
42.
Felix Großschartner
AUT
48:21
63.
Gregor Muehlberger
AUT
1:08:40
89.
Patrick Konrad
AUT
1:25:31
97.
Marco Haller
AUT
1:33:36
141.
Michael Gogl
AUT
1:56:47
