"Loze is one of the toughest climbs I've ever done" - Pogacar on winning Tour, Vingegaard, Visma statements and Vuelta participation

It's rest day at the Tour de France but the race never truly stops. Tadej Pogacar, as the race's leader, has talked to the media on the second and final rest day where he has adressed multiple topics including his statements on Team Visma | Lease a Bike, the mythical climbs that are still yet to be raced, his illness and even a potential Vuelta a España participation.

"I'm getting less and less sick now, thanks for the concern. Half the peloton has sore throats and is coughing and sneezing. I'm almost through it," Pogacar said in a press conference this Monday afternoon. However the online event quickly changed tone and the UAE Team Emirates - XRG leader was asked about his statements on his rival team - including yesterday's questioning of tactics after Jonas Vingegaard crashed and the team continued to try inserting riders in the breakaway.

"I wasn't annoyed, you know. It's the Tour de France, of course. You have to be fully focused and prepared in the first stages; they're not the stages I enjoy. I don't think the rest of the GC riders enjoy them either. It's hectic and dangerous," he said of the tension of the first week, but somewhat avoiding direct words on his rivals. "But I'm enjoying it: the group we have is fantastic. If I have to go to the Tour every year, I'll do it for the boys and the atmosphere. I'm happy to be part of the group".

Pogacar goes into week 3 of the race with over 4 minutes of lead ahead of Jonas Vingegaard, a big enough gap to be somewhat relaxed as long as he can avoid any major crack. However, this week presents three high mountain stages, each with colossal climbs that do have the potential to have such an impact in the race.

"I'm very confident, I should be. But I'm also sure he (Jonas Vingegaard, ed.) can be very confident, because his form is good too. We saw it in the time trial and the stage to Superbagnères; he really flew there. I have to stay focused, keep eating and sleeping. We have to stay cheerful and motivated, and stay confident for the final week. It's going to be tough, but we're ready for a fight with anyone, especially Jonas," he admits.

He discusses the climbs that are yet to tackle and recognizes a pattern: "This year, the course was designed to scare me a little, I'm pretty sure about that. We went to the Hautacam and later we'll do the Ventoux and Col de la Loze: Jonas dropped me on all of those. But it's not about the climb itself, whether it suits him better or not. It was the race situation, because most climbs are pretty much the same."

However after dominating the ascent to Hautacam, there is little reason not to believe he can't do the same at both Ventoux and Loze, two summit finishes with over 20 kilometers in length where in 2021 and 2023 respectively, the Dane made the difference to him.

"It's not about the name hanging over it. I love these climbs: the Ventoux is iconic, and the Col de la Loze is one of the toughest climbs I've ever done. I'm looking forward to these two stages. I'm not looking for revenge, I just want to have better legs than I had back then," he says. His power outputs currently are significantly higher, but so are those of his rivals.

He was lastly also asked about the Vuelta a España, where he might be present but a decision will only be made following the Tour. He kept it ambiguous in his words. "Right now, I'm only thinking about the Tour de France; there are still six stages left. I'm not thinking about what happens afterward. Some guys are already planning their holidays, but I don't know yet."