Tadej Pogacar 'extremely disappointed' but ready to move on from Tour de France heartbreak: "When I recover, I want to give my team another stage victory"

Tadej Pogacar's worst fear came true at the queen stage of the Tour de France. On the day where damage could be maximized the most, he cracked, and has lost the chance to win the race - unless something unexpected takes place. Pogacar was very disappointing with what was a dark day in his season.

“I don't know what happened. I was really empty at the foot of the Col de la Loze. I ate all day, but apparently it didn't get to my legs. I am extremely disappointed," he told reporters after the finish. It was a difficult watch as the Slovenian, who ferociously fought for each second throughout the first 16 days of the race, lost minute after minute on the monster ascent.

Over six minutes on the line, 7:35 minutes down on Jonas Vingegaard after this stage. It's a colossal loss, Pogacar rolled through the finish together with Marc Soler after not being able to keep up with the best on the decisive ascent. It was a painful grind into the line, he only finished 22nd on the day. His second place is rather safe in the GC because of the time he's won throughout the rest of the race, however he's able to lift his head after such effort.

“When I recover, I want to give my team another stage victory. Or help someone else win a stage. And I want to be on stage," he admits, hoping to find better legs in the coming days. "At the foot of the Col de la Loze I thought I would lose my podium, but my team has been very supportive.”