"I don't believe in that anymore" - Former rider dismisses Visma and Vingegaard claim Tour de France yellow battle not over yet after Pogacar domination
Cycling
Tadej Pogacar put the Tour de France general classification contenders to the sword on Thursday, first on the slopes of the Col du Tourmalet before emphatically extending his lead on the rest of the field on the mountain's descent and ascent to the finish.
When the dust settled on Thursday evening, the GC standings show Pogacar with a lead of 2:42 over Jonas Vingegaard. The rest of the field are over 3:27 behind as Pogacar well and truly set up his stall in the maillot jaune.
And as analysts ponder whether the Tour de France yellow battle is still in play, Dutch former professional cyclist Stef Clement isn't convinced. He fears that we could see a repeat of 2025 as he analysed how the "spring" broke.
Opening up about Vingegaard's battle to stay within touching difference of Pogacar, noting that the Slovenian's endurance once again demonstrated that once he breaks the elastic and puts the Dane in the red.
“I’m actually still hoping for a small mistake,” he admitted on the NOS Tour Podcast. “But actually, we know by now that when the spring breaks, it breaks hard."
Vingegaard the best of the rest
As Pogacar's lead began to build in the final meters of the Col du Tourmalet, and with still 40 kilometers left of the stage, Vingegaard found himself in a similar position than he has the last two Tour de France editions - not able to keep up with a rampaging Pogacar but still a level above the rest of the field.
He said: “You can look back one more time, but then you are also aware that you are once again the best of the rest.”
Pogacar on the other hand was flying solo at the front of the race, flowing around corners and pushing pedals harder than everyone else.
He added: “It was as if he were both a lawnmower and a plasterer. He kept riding so close to the edge; at one point, he could have smoothed out a wall with his right knee on the descent.”
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Vingegaard says it's not over
After stage 6, Vingegaard insisted he could improve further into the race and that his pursuit of the yellow jersey isn't over. Clement has heard it before, and doesn't buy the statement. Although admitting the Dane should focus on the podium, it doesn't make La Grand Boucle anymore excitement.
“They’ll never say that. Last year we heard all the time that the fight wasn't over yet, but nothing came of it," Clement noted.
"So I don't believe in that anymore. Focusing on the fight for the podium, I think that's a nice thought, but it doesn't really excite me. I'm still left with the feeling that 'if this is it, then it was decided very early'.”
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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