"It worked out perfectly, just as I imagined it" - Tadej Pogacar expands Paris-Nice lead with explosive stage win

Tadej Pogacar had one job to do today at Paris-Nice and he fulfilled the task, saving and expanding his lead over David Gaudu whilst taking the stage win on the way as well.

“It was full throttle from the start. INEOS Grenadiers made a big effort in the middle of the stage. When we got to the bottom of the final climb, everyone was already a bit dead. Today was one of the toughest fights to the finish," Pogacar said in a post-race interview. Pogacar was never surprised, but had a tough task towards the finish.

As Jumbo-Visma set a tough pace throughout the ascent, Pogacar looked in control as he launched the first serious attack just outside 5 kilometers. "It was a bit early, but I didn't want to have too many riders up front. This made it a little less running and standing (stop and start, ed.) still," he explained.

It wasn't a deadly attack however, as he was caught by David Gaudu and Jonas Vingegaard. The trio looked relatively balanced, with the Frenchman putting in several digs but the gaps remaining stable between all three riders. A sprint would benefit Pogacar, and that is how the day was decided. "But in the end it worked out perfectly, just as I imagined it," he claims.

This was the second stage win for Pogacar this week, winning both summit finishes. He sets off for the final mountain stage tomorrow with 12 seconds over the Groupama - FDJ rider. It is a short gap, and one that will require the Slovenian to remain cautious.

“Tomorrow will be another very tough day, I think the toughest in all of Paris-Nice. But the climbs are better for me I think. We will try to defend the jersey as best we can," Pogacar concluded.