In a dramatic turn of events at the Tour de France, Tadej Pogacar’s aggressive tactics clashed with Jonas Vingegaard’s conservative approach during Sunday’s gripping gravel stage, leaving the Slovenian maverick visibly frustrated by the defending champion’s risk-averse strategy.
Since the Tour’s inception in Florence, Pogacar, riding for UAE Team Emirates, has relentlessly attacked whenever the opportunity arose, showcasing the form that propelled him to victory at the Giro d’Italia. His latest surge came on Sunday’s treacherous ninth stage, where he managed to open up a significant gap of one minute and fifteen seconds on his nearest rival, Vingegaard of Team Jumbo-Visma.
In contrast, Vingegaard, who returned to racing after a lengthy hiatus due to injury, has opted for a more cautious approach, focusing on minimizing his losses rather than matching Pogacar’s aggressive tempo. Despite opportunities to capitalize when rivals like Remco Evenepoel and Primoz Roglic faltered, Vingegaard prioritized safety, notably refusing to collaborate with Pogacar during critical moments of the stage.
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“I wanted to have teammates around me, it was our goal,” Vingegaard explained to reporters. “On the other end, it could have made sense to ride with Pogacar, especially with key competitors not in contention, but we were there not to lose time.”
Pogacar, eyeing a historic Giro-Tour double, expressed frustration at Vingegaard’s unwillingness to cooperate during pivotal stages. “I think Visma, they look at me, they underestimate the others,” Pogacar remarked. “They’re obsessed with me but it could cost them.”
Despite Pogacar’s lead over Evenepoel and Vingegaard by 33 seconds and 1:15 respectively, the Slovenian remains wary of Vingegaard’s steadfast determination. “Yes, I think he [Vingegaard] is scared of me. If he wasn’t scared of me he would have pulled with his teammate,” Pogacar added pointedly.
With the Tour de France nearing its conclusion, Pogacar’s relentless pursuit of victory faces off against Vingegaard’s calculated risk management, setting the stage for an electrifying final week of racing.
Stay tuned for further updates on the Tour de France as the contenders navigate the grueling stages ahead.
