"Even if we had ridden, we wouldn’t have caught him" - Is the Tour de Suisse peloton helpless against Tadej Pogacar?

Stage 1 of the Tour de Suisse was Tadej Pogacar's first race day since Liège-Bastogne-Liège, but the outcome was not different. The World Champion took a stage win that was based on an unplanned attack, which the peloton could not close down. Tiesj Benoot talked about the day, from the perspective of someone who was in the direct chasing group.

The peloton was split on the 10% Buglio al Monte climb, and then an intermediate sprint shortly after triggered a move at the front. Pogacar, Brandon McNulty and Matthew Riccitello had a gap over the rest of the field. “When my teammates dug super deep, I felt I was having a good day," Benoot said in words to Het Laatste Nieuws. But with his teammate up front, Benoot gave a clear indication to stay in the wheel. Easier said than done...

“So I said to Matthew Riccitello: Make sure you’re with him. If he could follow for a long time, it would be a good situation. However, it didn’t last long," the veteran explained.

He later joined Riccitello and the two were part of a small chasig group. Whilst the riders continued climbing, the chasing group was being led by Lidl-Trek's Andrea Bagioli and the gaps stabilized. As the profile flattened out, these extended as there was no cooperation.

That is somewhat similar to what has been seen in other races, where the chasers accept there is little or nothing that could be done against the Slovenian, and begin their own competition for second place.

Benoot's statement includes words of acceptance over this race situation. “I was the only one weighing over 70 kilograms in the group. But even if we had ridden, we wouldn’t have caught him, you know." he adds. "It is difficult to race when someone stands so far above the rest.”

It was a brutal day on the bike, with Richard Carapaz and Bagioli emerging from the chasing group as the strongest. Behind, on the final ascents some gaps were formed, with neither Benoot or Riccitello making it in the main one. Nevertheless, many of the GC contenders were thrown out of contention on this stage, and the American's chances of finishing on the final podium have increased exponentially.

Benoot on his part was 17th on the stage, showing good form in what was his debut this season. The Belgian has suffered from an hernia earlier in the year which kept him away from racing all the way until June. Despite this, it is still very much his plan to be part of the Tour de France lineup, and this performance comes as a positive sign.