"I don't think he will have a crisis" - French pundit believes Pogacar has Tour under control as peloton heads to Alps
Cycling
The Tour de France 2025 begins its final battle in the high mountains on Thursday. In the Alps, Tadej Pogacar will be looking to seal the general classification against Jonas Vingegaard. The Dane is 4 minutes and 15 seconds behind, although there has been debate in recent days as to whether the Visma leader will be able to mount a comeback on the Col de la Loze and La Plagne. Some believe it is possible. Others believe that, barring an accident of the world champion, the race is doomed.
Speaking to Cyclism'Actu, former cyclist Stéphane Goubert addressed this debate, taking the side that says there is nothing left to be decided in the fight between the UAE Team Emirates - XRG star and the Visma | Lease a Bike star.
"Unless Tadej Pogacar has an incident, there will be no problem. He's over the top. I don't think he will have a crisis because of this weather," Goubert said in reference to whether the weather conditions in the Alps will take their toll on him. Pogacar is known to not favor extreme heat, but that shouldn't be a factor this week.
Pogacar has Tour on track before the Alps
"The weather can create difficulties, it's clear that it's going to be really problematic. Today there was only a risk of a fall, but that didn't cause anything compared to this change of weather. However, in the passes, it's different, because with the cold and wet descents, they will be colder. So, even though it's not winter temperatures, the body is used to the heat and it will feel like winter," he added.
"And that's the big problem for tomorrow's stage. Beyond the positive elevation gain, it will be these extreme conditions. And what to do? Well, you have to pray that the body reacts well. It's like when you go into extreme heat: the body has to be able to adapt."
Referring to the adaptation of Pogacar, Vingegaard and company to these circumstances, Goubert explained the following: "Week after week, every body reacts completely differently."
Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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- Love this guy. He is such a pure racer.mij07-11-2026
- Fair enough. Everyone’s entitled to one and I respect yours! Nothing wrong with being a one week and GT guy if that’s his vibemij07-11-2026
- LOL...it's a predetermined finish ! N one is 'clashing' at these exhibition crits!frieders307-11-2026
- Surely the UCI and the race organisers have a responsibility to ensure the best medical care is available to riders when incidents like this happen. All very well pushing for global expansion but not so good if riders lives are put at risk because medical support is not up to scratch.Andy12306-11-2026
- Well it clearly helps that this was Pidcock's own car, no?Occam06-11-2026
- The American performance at the World's road race was a masterclass in cycling tactics. If it wasn't McNulty, it might well have been Jorgensen or Simmons to take off and win in a solo break.Occam06-11-2026
- What a gimmick
Rafionain-Glas06-11-2026 - Thats only cause he rides for UAE. In any other team he would be captain in many races atleast. UAE is just to crazymiguel06-11-2026
- He seems to be the rare athlete whose passion and curiosity about life beyond his sport equals his extraordinary achievements in it. It would be great for him to risk less of that life. He seems very grateful and joyful for what he has already attained.
MarkFour06-11-2026 - As much as I admire and even revere Wout, the less I know about his backside the better.MidnightRider06-11-2026
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