"It is 2023 and it is a completely different situation with a different opponent" - Joxean Matxin doesn't believe Pogacar can turn Tour de France around in time-trial as in 2020

The memory of the 2020 Planche des Belles Filles time-trial lasts in Jumbo-Visma's memory. The circumstances are different, but UAE Team Emirates manager Joxean Matxin believes it will be very hard for Tadej Pogacar to deal a similar blow on stage 16 at the Tour de France.

“No, this is different. It is 2023 and it is a completely different situation with a different opponent," Joxean Matxin told Wielerflits. "It is a difficult time trial to estimate. It's not flat, it's not uphill, very special. You will have to monitor your power well throughout the time trial to make a difference, but that is of course the same for Jonas.”

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The 22 kilometers against the clock will be the sole time-trial of the race. It will include plenty climbing with two ascents in the start and end of the race, and it will see a clash among the two riders again, who enter the final week separated by only 10 seconds, with the time-trial having the potential to be decisive in the outcome of the race.

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The two are also widely considered to be the main favourites for the stage win, although Matxin disagrees and sees a different figure as the man to beat: “Look at the results of the last time trials and you will see that Wout van Aert is the biggest contender.”

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Tadej Pogačar

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Heading into the rest day and straight to the coffee shop with @j_vingegaard ☕️🤝 #tdf2023

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