"Happier than when I win a stage" - Tadej Pogacar over the moon with Tim Wellens' Tour de France triumph

Tadej Pogacar managed to experience a relatively calm day today at the Tour de France. The UAE Team Emirates - XRG rider rode through the finish in Carcassonne calmly inside the peloton and maintains his lead over Jonas Vingegaard into the final week whilst also celebrating the victory of teammate and right-hand man Tim Wellens.

Pogacar himself was quite active early in the day, covering moves on the first climbs as the breakaway was being formed. Specifically, he several times followed the wheel of Matteo Jorgenson who had attempted to be in front, although the Visma rider is no longer part of the overall classification fight. After the group went there were no difficulties to tackle in the peloton.

In a post-race interview, he praised his Belgian teammate, who has been very important in the support to Pogacar on the daily this Tour. “It was great to hear him continue to push forward in the final kilometers; I was really surprised by his strength today. He deserves it. I'm so happy for Tim, even happier than when I win a stage".

"Tim works hard to help me keep the yellow jersey. He's one of the best teammates I've ever had. He sacrifices a lot throughout the year, in the Classics. He always does everything for the team's goals. Today he had his chance and he took it. He proved he's a champion," the yellow jersey concluded.

The team could celebrate yet another victory in this Tour, the fifth already (one third out of all stages). Team DS Mauro Gianetti also praised the Belgian for a strong solo win: “It's incredible, I'm so happy for Tim. He's a champion, but he's also the best teammate you could have. And if anyone deserves the win here, it's him. He rode exceptionally intelligently in the finale, taking a fantastic victory.”