Three races in the same one. And while Thymen Arensmann crowns his with victory and collapses on the asphalt, behind him the other two take place: Vingegaard's race against Pogacar and Lipowitz's race towards the white jersey. Sadly on a flagship in some unspecified place of the stage, Remco Evenepoel has had time to reflect on his withdrawal from the TourWhile we wait for news of any health problems, we note his coach's observations on the lack of intense work done after the Dauphiné, but also the ease with which the Belgian chose to give up. You also grow by fighting for a place, the podium isn't the only thing that matters..
“I was sick preparing for the Tour,” says Arensman, “but I think that despite the illness, I prepared well. I came to test myself and I had to be very patient in the first week, waiting until the mountainsThe first chance I had, I finished second in the Le Mont Dore stage, and it already seemed like an incredible experience. But this is even more. I think I had fantastic legs and the best shape of my lifeI was afraid that three minutes wouldn't be enough to resist Tadej and Jonas, I can't believe I managed to keep them at bay. All the spectators gave me a few extra wattsI came to France just to experience the Tour, winning a stage is crazy."
Pogacar's Wall
Seeing Vingegaard attack Pogacar is a smile-inducing sight. But since it's widely believed that the third week could overturn everything, seeing Jonas attack twice on the final climb makes one think that more is needed, but good will is welcome. The Tour has always had its share of... duels between the unbeatable leader and his challengers, but only one before Pogacar had given the sense of being untouchable: Lance ArmstrongEveryone, from Ullrich to Basso, lost sleep over him and lost their challenges. They kept trying, but basically, how can you believe it? what if the guy in front doesn't even stagger and, when you think you're going really fast, he snaps at you?
«I believe that first of all it depends on the spirit – says Ivan Basso, called upon for his experience – on the temperament of the rider. If you are a striker, you have the spirit to always try, because you never know what can happen.Obviously, if you don't try, you can't know if the other person is having trouble or not. And if he's having a bad day and you're having a great one, nothing is impossible. I think Vingegaard has nothing to lose, in the sense that finishing second doesn't change anything for him, while winning the Tour with a feat would be another thing. It's clear that Tadej He prepared this race as a key event after the classics, so he is very strong."
Numbers and instinct
Vingegaard appears determined not to give up and from Tuesday on Mont Ventoux, it could get closer again.
«At this point – explains Basso – there are two ways to try to attack Tadej. The first is related to data analysis. In the teams there is someone in charge of studying them, seeing if there is a crack they can slip into. And then of course there are the athlete's skills, the instinct and the Glance. So if your instinct tells you to go at that moment, you go for it and you never know what happens. Having the data is essential. They help you grow, even to go back and see why you're not doing well or why you're not doing as well as you expected.
«But beyond this there is that extra something, that only champions have and bring out when they think the time has come. Finally, there's the information you get from the flagship. The helicopter image is very telling. You can see where your opponent is positioned and whether he's lost a meter or is following you like a shadow. I tried them in every way, but Armstrong always got me back. But I wouldn't have been able to run any differently."
The new white jersey
While the top two in the class were giving each other a good beating, behind them Lipowitz took fifth place, 1'25" behind Arensman, but just 17 seconds behind Pogacar. This gave him the white jersey, which he now holds with a 1'25" lead over Oscar Onley. The standings Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe you see at this point The German is on the third step of the podium, while Roglic is in sixth positionDescending from the finish line towards the hotel, first sports director Enrico Gasparotto draws up a balance sheet that, he emphasizes, can only be provisional.
«We had three good days – says the Friulian – but I think we'll measure how we can handle the distance after the twentieth stage. What has come to light in recent days is the fact that having approached the first part of the Tour with a little more serenity and tranquility, instead of fighting for every second. That was our approach, and at the moment it meant that Florian and Primoz had fresher legs than the others. However, I believe that a conclusion can only be drawn after the Alps.I think Lipowitz's third place in the Dauphiné has given him a lot of confidence. It's his first Tour, but for the second time this year he finds himself fighting against the same protagonists who are the pinnacle of world cycling.
«We're taking it easy, remaining faithful to the team's goal, which before leaving for the Tour was to reach the podium. I think we're pretty much on track, but I prefer to be very cautious because next week is very difficult. We'll still see some great things. Maybe not on Mont Ventoux, because it's just one climb, even if it comes after the rest and will have to be managed. But there will be two days with 5.500 and 4.500 meters of altitude difference, which put in place in the last week, will hurt."
Roglic's role
Before leaving him on his journey to the hotel, the last note almost slips out of the window. Roglic at the Giro, until his retirement, he found himself acting as an example for Pellizzari, now he plays the same role with LipowitzIs it a role he likes?
"Primoz is very involved in the conversations," Gasparotto replies, "both in the more lighthearted things the kids talk about and the more serious aspects of the race. His wealth of experience is enormous, there are few like him.And it's a winning idea that we talk about it together on the bus, that we discuss tactics and strategies, what others are doing and what we should be doing. We always discuss it all together when we leave the hotel for the departure point, It's something we directors wanted here at the Tour de France. Creating a sort of relaxed environment, where everyone can express their thoughts. I think that helps, don't you?
«Florian is a very good person, a golden boy, very simpleSo the fact that Primoz is so calm, much more so than last year, is a huge advantage for the group. And yesterday's third place in the time trial boosted everyone's morale. But now we have to restWe've gone from hot to cold. The days have been short, because after the stages, between dinner and massages, you go to bed at midnight and in the morning you're already out and about at 9. We need Monday to be a real rest day, because another Tour will start the next day».
