"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.”

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.

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.”