If anyone followed the second Netflix series on MovistarSeeing Enric Mas sprint at the end of today's stage, he must have remembered his tears from last year, disappointed at not being able to keep up with the best. His teammates cheered him up, but he couldn't accept it. But today, it seemed like it was the right time, with that non-violent but decisive attack and the feeling that no one would finish. His victory would have been a resounding blow with the words read this morning. in Ainara Hernando's article with Alejandro Valverde. Instead, when the Spaniard turned around, he saw Pogacar's yellow helmet appear, then those of Vingegaard and Carapaz. Even if he'll be less sad tonight than last year, he understood that he still has a lot of work to do.
Tired faces
Pogacar is no longer going as well as he did in the first few days and it shows, but nor can it be said that the others have grown to the point of putting him in difficultyAnd as in last year's crazy Giro, the real differences were made in the second week. After all, the physiology is always the same and If you start every day at full speed, it's difficult for you to come out on top in the end.Better then to capitalize on the condition in the middle week and grit your teeth in what remains.
«I was fine – confirms the Slovenian – The Tourmalet was tough and even though I have a big advantage, I will have to try to do my best tomorrow and in the time trialI give myself a 50/50 chance of winning, but I also know I have a big margin and I'm unlikely to lose six minutes in the time trial. In short, I hope it doesn't end up like Roglic did last year."
The real surprise
Who actually grew up in the third week and ran the whole Tour with a handicap of 1'21” to wait for Roglic after the crash is Jonas Vingegaard, named to the Tour team in the spring, when the team gave up on the fact that Dumoulin wouldn't be there. They told us themselves after the Coppi and Bartali Week: they would have to bring someone and the Danish was the one that best suited the use.
President Macron speaks with Alaphilippe during his visit. The world champion breaks away, but his Tour is downhill
President Macron speaks with Alaphilippe during his visit. The world champion breaks away, but his Tour is downhill
“Jonas has proven to be a great talent for the future,” said Sports Director Grischa Niermann, “and has made great strides in his development as a Grand Tour rider. We didn't expect him to be able to do this already.The fighting spirit he showed to overcome Carapaz was beautiful to see. With the time trial in between, anything can still happen, given that in the previous one he was third.But today we took a big step in the right direction. With Jonas, and also with a talent like Tobias Foss, things are looking good for the future."
Great school
He smiles blissfully, as Pogacar has been doing since the start of the Tour. Obviously, these are different expressions. Tadej is satisfied and in control, while Vingegaard appears more surprised and grateful every day..
“It wasn't my best day,” he says, understandably tired. I suffered a lot, like I think everyone does. But it was the second hard day in the mountains at the end of the Tour and I'm happy.I came to help Roglic and learn, but I have to say that I'm going through a great learning processIf I survive tomorrow's stage (laughs, ed.) and the time trial goes as I hope, I'll come home with second place."
In this cycling of prodigies, we are quick to put away the temptation to say which and how many champions have arrived second in the Tour at the age of 24, in front of someone like Pogacar who won it last year at the first assaultBut considering the Slovenian to be a great man and a great exception, it is worth whispering to Vingegaard that not many have achieved his same record.
And now it's Cavendish's turn.
We close this daily notebook after hearing Cavendish's leg pain flowed through his more than usual clipped words.
"I could feel the fatigue of the stage before the Tourmalet in my legs," he said. "We had some short but challenging climbs, where the sprints made my life quite difficult. Then there was the intermediate sprint, where I spent a bit of energy. The Tourmalet is the climb I hate most in the Tour; it's simply terrible. I've done it ten times and every time it's been the same. I'm so grateful to the guys for being by my side on this difficult day. At the end, I was a little emotional because my teammates helped me so much in this Tour de France. I can't tell you how proud and happy I am to be on this team."
In the end Pogacar wins again, according to Vingegaard, and like yesterday the rivals are there Pogacar was hugged by his partner Urska upon arrival, who "catches" the photographer.
In the end Pogacar wins again, according to Vingegaard, and like yesterday the rivals are there Pogacar was hugged by his partner Urska upon arrival, who "catches" the photographer.
In that great film that was his return to the Tour de France, at this point we could be in for a defeat tomorrow at the hands of a third-week dog like Van Aert or Colbrelli. But then, in the iconic sprint of the Champs-Elysees, we are all ready to to see him cry again.
