For Tadej Pogačar, the Tour de France stage to Carcassonne was one not to be forgotten quickly. His teammate Tim Wellens got the chance to join the breakaway and won the stage after a 43-kilometer solo. Pogačar crossed the line with a smile, but in an interview after the finish, the Slovenian admitted he was not fully fit.
"I’m super happy that tomorrow is a rest day because I can’t wait to rest. But not too much, because the day after is already Mont Ventoux," Pogačar said.
On Saturday at Superbagnères, the UAE Emirates XRG leader revealed he was struggling with a stuffy nose. It hasn’t gone away yet, he noted. "I've had a sore throat and a blocked nose for a few days now. I have the impression that half the peloton has been complaining about this for a few days," Pogačar said somewhat nonchalantly. "Too much air conditioning, lots of ice cream... That does cause some damage to your throat."
These symptoms don’t make Pogačar worry about the final week. "It’s clear I want to keep the jersey and take it to Paris. It will be tough, but I’m ready to fight for it. Jonas looked strong yesterday, but I want to fight for it. I don’t have specific stages I want to win; we’ll have to see how the stages unfold," he explained. "For me, it’s all about the jersey."
The biggest smile came from Tim Wellens’ stage win. "I’m so happy for Tim. I’m even happier for him than if I had won myself. It was amazing to hear on the radio today that he kept gaining time continuously in the last 45 kilometers," said Pogi. "He rode incredibly well. Hats off to him, he deserved it. I’m more than happy."
"Tim is one of the best teammates I’ve ever had. He sacrifices so much for me," he explained. "All year, also in the classics and his favorite races. He does everything for the team’s goal, and today he got the chance, and he grabbed it. He showed what kind of champion he is."
<span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span>
