Soudal - Quick-Step tactics "played into my hands” admits Tadej Pogacar after another scintilating stage win

Tadej Pogacar seemed to hint that his days of attacking at the 2024 Tour de France were over after stage 19. When the situation arose for another victory on stage 20 however, the Slovenian did not pass up the opportunity.

Despite UAE Team Emirates content to let the break settle the stage and even getting Marc Soler in the move, Soudal - Quick-Step and Remco Evenepoel took to the front of the bunch to set a fierce pace in an attempt to pressure Jonas Vingegaard in the fight for 2nd behind Pogacar, in the process, bringing the break within touching distance of the GC group on the final climb.

"I really enjoyed this even though it didn’t go as planned,” Pogacar reflected post-stage. “I was very surprised that the race exploded on the Col de Braus, one of my favourite training passes in this region. But our guys did a great job. We all came together and then Soler got into the breakaway. That was good for us. We then tried to take it as easy as possible to go to the final with a big group. But Soudal - Quick-Step wanted to try to gain some time on Jonas, I think. Or to win the stage. That played into my hands.”

"It's the perfect Tour. If you had said this beforehand, I wouldn't have believed it. It's out of this world. I'm so happy. I hope I can celebrate this victory with my teammates today and tomorrow," added Pogacar, who claimed his 5th mountain stage win of this race in the process.

The UAE Team Emirates leader also had a word for his great rival Vingegaard. “He had a few tough days, but today he showed that he is not easy to break. He is a real fighter. He gave everything today, he rode very well and was very strong,” Pogacar concludes. “Five stages is more than enough. One would have been enough, or just the yellow jersey. But it is what it is, you don’t hit the brakes in cycling. Do I still want to win tomorrow? We’ll see, if I have really good legs… But above all, I have to arrive safely in Nice. It’s a pretty dangerous time trial. Maybe I can enjoy the audience a bit more.”