On the second rest day, Tadej Pogačar briefly addressed over eighty journalists about his expectations for the final week of the Tour de France. The yellow jersey holder has a comfortable lead of over four minutes on his biggest challenger, Jonas Vingegaard, who has not given up the fight yet. And he understands that well, Pogačar told WielerFlits, among others.
With Mont Ventoux and the Col de la Loze ahead, the UAE Emirates XRG leader might feel some butterflies in his stomach. In 2021, Jonas Vingegaard was able to make things difficult for him for the first time on the Giant of Provence, and two years later, the Dane completely destroyed him on the Col de la Loze. Still, nerves don’t seem to affect Pogačar much.
“No, not at all. The route this year is clear... Well, I’m almost convinced it was designed to scare me a little,” he laughs. “We’ve already been to Hautacam, Mont Ventoux is on Tuesday, and then Thursday we have the Col de la Loze. It’s true that Jonas has already dropped me there.”
“But still: I see all three as race situations,” the Slovenian counters. “It’s not about those specific climbs. Jonas doesn’t have an advantage there, nor does it suit me any less. All the climbs are roughly the same in my eyes. They’re ten to fifteen kilometers long, with almost all having similar gradients. It’s not about the name.”
Pogačar has already claimed four stage wins this Tour - photo: Cor Vos
“And honestly? I actually love all those climbs. Mont Ventoux is super iconic, and the Col de la Loze is the toughest climb I’ve ridden so far in my career.” That’s why Pogačar is looking forward to those two stages. “I won’t say I’m seeking revenge or redemption. I just want to have better legs than the last two times I climbed there. That’s all.”
Vingegaard is confident of a good outcome.
Monday morning, Vingegaard stated at his press conference that he still believes in winning the Tour. Pogačar understands that. “Although I also have a lot of confidence in myself. You have to. But I also know that Jonas has that belief. He’s in incredible form. We saw that during the climb time trial to Peyragudes and at Superbagnères. He was flying there.”
“I just have to make sure to stay focused, eat well, sleep well, and keep the team spirit high,” he continues. “We remain motivated and confident in this final, tough week. It will be intense, but we’re ready for every battle. Especially the battle with Jonas.”
