Tadej Pogacar Labels Stage Victory as ‘One of His Best Climbing Performances Ever’
Pogacar Maintains Tour de France Lead Following Summit Victories
Jonas Vingegaard Remains Persistent as Closest Pursuer
Tadej Pogacar Leads Tour de France After Dominant Performances in the Pyrenees
Jonas Vingegaard Refuses to Yield Despite Pogacar’s Strong Lead
During an online press conference, Tadej Pogacar, the leader of UAE Emirates team, diverted attention from his record-breaking climbing feats by sharing his enjoyment of a chocolate brownie. Despite avoiding the typical questions on performance metrics, Pogacar reflected on his stunning victories at Pla d’Adet and Plateau de Beille in the Pyrenees, where he now commands a more than three-minute lead over his closest rival, Jonas Vingegaard of Visma Lease-a-bike.
Pogacar described his ascent at Plateau de Beille as one of his career’s peak performances, noting the extraordinary power numbers achieved during the climb. He acknowledged Vingegaard’s team for their strong efforts in attempting to close the gap, emphasizing their resilience.
In 2024, Pogacar has asserted his dominance across various cycling events, including one-day Classics and the Giro d’Italia in May. As he aims for a rare Giro-Tour double, his competitors, led by Vingegaard, struggle to keep pace.
Reflecting on the evolution of cycling, Pogacar highlighted advancements in technology, nutrition, and training methods that have transformed the sport in recent years. He credited these innovations for pushing teams to new limits and enhancing overall performance.
Looking ahead, with three more summit finishes and a challenging closing time trial, Vingegaard remains determined to challenge Pogacar’s lead. The Danish cyclist, undeterred, remains focused on seizing opportunities to narrow the gap, refusing to settle for second place.
As the Tour de France heads towards its conclusion in Nice, both Pogacar and Vingegaard anticipate a grueling final week amidst the relentless physical and psychological demands of the southern French Alps.
