Many predicted that the 2023 Tour de France would be won (or lost) by a matter of seconds, not by 7 minutes and 29 seconds. But that’s the Tour. It’s a three week, 21 stage, 3,405.6 kilometer contest between 176 riders from 22 teams. Anything and everything can happen.
Here’s a look at the 5 defining moments of the GC battle.
Stage 5: Pau > Laruns
When Pogacar lost 1:04″ to Vingegaard on the first day in the Pyrenees, many thought it was the beginning of the end for Pogacar. Commentators were befuddled. It was the kind of climb that favored Pogacar, that is, it wasn’t a high altitude climb, and the heat that Pogacar dislikes so much was not a factor. So, when Vingegaard attacked on the Col de Marie Blanque with less than 800 meters remaining and dropped Pogacar it was a surprise. But more surprising, perhaps, was how poorly Pogacar descended compared to Vingegaard. At the top of the col Vingegaard only had about 30″ on Pogacar, but on the descent he didn’t look like his usual confident self. And if it wasn’t for his teammates, who dropped back for him, he would’ve lost even more time. After the stage, Pogacar and his team were at a loss for what had happened.
“I had no plan for today [stage 5]. I just wanted to enjoy the ride and suddenly I was part of that group. It’s really great that I could win.” – Jai Hindley (Bora–Hansgrohe).
“On the last climb I felt good. I told Sepp Kuss to go and turn it on. And then I placed my attack. I’m super happy with those 53 seconds [gained on Pogacar], that’s very nice. But we definitely have to keep an eye on Jai.” – Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma).
“I will continue to fight. Nothing is lost yet. Normally I’m not at my best until the third week. We look at it day by day. The goal is clear.” – Tadej Pogacar (UAE).
“It was the fight that everyone expected. Vingegaard was very impressive. He did very well. It was not a super day for us. I haven’t spoken to Tadej yet.” – Team UAE.
“It was the fight that everyone expected. Vingegaard was very impressive. He did very well. It was not a super day for us. I haven’t spoken to Tadej yet. We had some doubts before the start of the Tour, but we were hopeful after the ride to Bilbao.” – Team UAE.
Stage 6: Tarbes > Cauterets-Cambasque
With less than 3 km remaining to the top of the Col Cauterets-Cambasque, Pogacar took a look around him and then launched his explosive attack. Vingegaard chased and limited the damage, but by the time he crossed the line he had lost 24″ to Pogacar. Things now looked very different than the day before when Vingegaard had dominated. The GC battle was on again.
“We didn’t expect him [Pogačar] to be so strong. “Yesterday [stage 5] he wasn’t great, so we thought we’d have another chance today [on stage 6].” – Wilco Kelderman (Jumbo-Visma).
“My form is getting better every day. This is how I want to ride to the end. Although I know it’s going to be a big, big fight until the last day.” – Tadej Pogačar (UAE).
“We tried to crack him, but Pogacar … he’s the best in the world, so we have to expect days like this [stage 6] where he will bounce back.” – Sepp Kuss (Jumbo-Visma).
“Today [stage 6] Tadej said he felt good, so we didn’t have to be afraid. He is very strong mentally and I know he never gives up. Today he was great and we are very happy that he won.” – Team UAE.
Stage 15: Les Gets les portes du soleil > Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc
With a little more than 2km to go, Vingegaard did something very odd. He positioned himself ahead of Pogacar and watched his rival over his shoulder as if he were on the velodrome taking the front position in a match sprint. TV commentators and post-race analysts didn’t know what to make of it. Was Vingegaard trying to slow down Pogacar and give himself an extra bike length in the event that Pogacar launched his explosive attack? Or was it a desperate tactic on Vingegaard’s part in an impossible situation against a rival with a better jump?
When Pogacar did attack with less than 1 km to go, it appeared that Vingegaard would again lose 20-30 odd seconds and that this was to be Pogacar’s tactic for winning the Tour. But the circumstances were not the same as stage 6. It was now stage 15 and the Tour was two weeks old. Vingegaard stayed on Pogacar’s wheel and countered his attacks each time. And just to make it clear to everyone that he could match Pogacar’s attacks, that he was up to the task, Vingegaard sprinted for the line with 40 meters to go and momentarily caught Pogacar off-guard. The message was sent, but it wouldn’t arrive in Pogacar’s inbox until stage 16.
“It was a draw today [stage 15]. No one has succeeded in taking back time. It was a beautiful day, but difficult with the heavy fall that knocked three teammates to the ground.” – Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma).
“We wanted to make the race [stage 15] hard on the last climb, but I immediately felt that Jonas is super good. I knew I couldn’t drop him, maybe the climb wasn’t hard enough for that.” – Tadej Pogačar (UAE).
Stage 16: Passy > Combloux
In the 22.4km time trial Jonas Vingegaard crushed the competition. He was 1:38″ faster than Pogacar. That’s around 4.4 seconds per kilometer. Against his teammate, Wout van Aert, who finished third, he was almost 3 minutes (2:51″) faster. Plain and simple, Vingegaard was untouchable. Some hung onto the hope that Pogacar was saving himself for the final climb. But it quickly became apparent even before the final climb that he wasn’t saving himself for anything, that he was riding at his maximum and had no more to give. Riders, fans, and commentators were speechless afterwards, with many expressing their disbelief in the same way Pogacar did: “I never would have imagined losing so much time on Vingegaard.” Little did Pogacar know, in less than 24 hours he would lose more than he could ever imagine in stage 17.
I felt great today. It’s the best time trial I’ve ever ridden. I am very proud of what I have done and very happy with the win. I also surprised myself. I didn’t expect to do so well.” – Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma)
“I didn’t already have great legs in the time trial, but I never would have imagined losing so much time (1’38) on Vingegaard. It was pretty devastating, to be honest.” – Tadej Pogacar (UAE).
“This is the best time trial ever ridden in cycling. This is really unparalleled, I have no words for it. He takes more than a minute and a half on Pogacar. No one really expected this. Not me, not Jumbo-Visma, and not Pogacar either. The Tour now seems decided.” – Tom Dumoulin, ex-pro.
“We expected a smaller difference. Congratulations to Jonas. He had an incredible day. Everything is possible [in the Tour]. We have to believe in it. But if Vingegaard is stronger, then he deserves it. That is sport. We fight, but we also have to accept reality.” –Team UAE.
Stage 17: Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc > Courchevel
Implosion, meltdown, blowup. No one saw it coming. There were no signs he was in difficulty. There were no attacks or sudden accelerations. No reasons why. It was all in slow motion. Pogacar drifting drifting off the wheel in front of him, Vingegaard continuing along at the same pace, unaware of what was happening. In the end, he’d finish 5:45″ behind Vingegaard. The big stage 17 showdown would never happen. His teammate Mark Soler dropped back and helped pace him to the finish. But it was really too late. Pogacar knew it and his team knew it. The Tour was over. Fans were shocked, especially when the television replayed his words to his team car: “I’m gone. I’m dead.”
Vingegaard finished 5:45″ ahead of Pogacar. Exactly what happened to Pogacar on stage 17 is still a mystery, but here’s what was said afterwards:
“I thought I could get back into the game but at the foot of the Col de la Loze my body died out. I couldn’t describe it any other way. I had nothing left. The end of the stage was really horrible, pure suffering, fortunately Marc (Soler) stayed by my side until the end. Without him I probably wouldn’t be on the podium today. I really fought against myself that day. The day after (18th stage) was almost even more difficult, even if it was flat, because I was completely screwed, emotionally drained. I had never experienced this before.” – Tadej Pogacar.
“I’m gone. I’m dead.” – Tadej Pogacar (UAE) speaking to his team car after being dropped by Vingegaard on the Col de la Loze.
The Tadej we saw today is not Tadej. And Vingegaard was himself today. He was very strong, also with his team.” – Mauro Gianetti, team manager (UAE).
“A lead of more than 7 minutes is formidable. But as I have often said: we are not yet in Paris. There are still tricky stages to follow. I think Tadej Pogacar will never give up. He’ll definitely try something else. I have to be ready. – Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma).
