Tadej Pogacar has once again tried distancing Jonas Vingegaard, today based on surprise and explosive moves. However, today has also not been he day where the Slovenian managed to deal damage into the race leader.
“I tried, but it wasn't our day. Not that it was bad, but it wasn't very good either," Pogacar said after the stage. The Slovenian tried on three occasions to drop Vingegaard on the Port de Lers, but each time having an answer from the race leader who didn't always have an immediate response, but has managed to stick to the wheel.
"We lost Marc Soler early with stomach problems, Majka had mechanical problems on the final climb. And then Jumbo-Visma also sent Van Aert ahead. I hope to get better in the coming days," he detailed. At the Mur de Péguère Majka was setting up a move for Pogacar, but suffered a mechanical and the Slovenian ended up not attack as Vingegaard had the company of Sepp Kuss, and Wout van Aert who was ahead of the GC group.
"I do not know yet. I've done the reconnaissance, but downhills are still not my favorite terrain to force the decision," he said when asked by Sporza, after making an attack in the first downhill meters of Lers, if he was to try and surprise once again.
"Today it was not ideal uphill to get a lot of time, tomorrow and the day after are better for that," he concludes, hinting to another round of attacks that are to come in the coming days in order to cut through the 2:22 minute disadvantage over the Dane.