Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) dominated once again in the Pyrenees on stage 15, putting 1:08″ into his rival Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) at the finish of Plateau de Beille. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) was third at 2:51″.
Pogačar revealed afterwards that it wasn’t so easy. “I never expected this outcome after the start of the second week. I’m happy with my form, but I suffered a lot. It was also very hot. I’ve always struggled with the heat in my career, but the team helped me cool down. We handled that well and can look back on the Pyrenees with great pleasure. I love the Pyrenees and they love me.”
Pogačar is now looking forward to the final week. “I have a comfortable lead, but I need to keep the focus and the same mentality for the final week. I’m also looking forward to the rest day. I hope we have a good coffee ride with the guys, where we can stop for a coffee and reset. Then it’s full throttle in the final week.”
Vingegaard afterwards was optimistic. “I can’t be disappointed, on the contrary. The team rode very strong today. I was also very strong on the final climb. Today was probably one of my best performances ever and he was also a minute faster. There is still a chance for us. The Tour is not over yet. We have seen in recent years that he has a bad day now and then. We have to hope for that now, then we can maybe break him (Pogacar). But of course, if he can maintain this level, it will be very difficult for me and the team.”
Evenepoel was satisfied with the stage. “It was a long day. I think we did well, back to third place. We did our best, we couldn’t do more. It was a very good weekend in the Pyrenees, two thirds is certainly not bad. We’ll see how it goes in the final week. For all I know, I’ll have to hear from you next week that I can’t do anything anymore. I want to keep my feet on the ground and keep working hard,
Evenepoel’s manager, Tom Steels, was pragmatic about his star rider’s performance. “It’s mainly a fight against yourself, just like in a time trial. It’s wise to keep your own pace. The competition also loses. Vingegaard and Pogavar have already won the Tour and are simply superior. He has definitely grown. A podium in the Tour is also a victory. If he gets a podium here, that is another step closer to winning the Tour one day. You have to do that sometime, stand on the podium of the Tour. Only then can you see if it is ever possible.”
RESULTS
Stage 15: Loudenvielle > Plateau de Beille (197.7km)
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
