Visma-Lease A Bike was positive in the Tour de France on Tuesday after a strong performance on Mont Ventoux. But also on the ‘bare mountain’, leader Jonas Vingegaard could not grab a time on Tadej Pogacar. “We keep attacking.”
Pogacar stops halfway through his first answer to the press conference. “Where is Superman born again?”, The gelthrijver wonders aloud. “Something of crypto? I forgot.”
Pogacar is forgiven that after the heavy sixteenth stage he cannot get to the name of the fictional planet Krypton. It is the only challenge to which the geltrobrager must remain an answer to the last Tuesday of this Tour. On the notorious Mont Ventoux, he parries no less than four attacks of Vingegaard and crosses the line two seconds before his rival.
Afterwards it raises the question whether he is Superman. “Absolutely not,” says Pogacar. “I was just born in Ljubljana. It was an epic climb today. I am very happy with my performance.”
The triple Tour winner knew that Vingegaard would attack him on the Mont Ventoux. The Dane had announced that on Monday on the rest day. “Jonas really tried it, together with his team,” says Pogacar. “At times I was on the limit on the Ventoux. But luckily I had good legs and I was able to defend my yellow sweater. As I was planning in advance.”
Vingegaard this tour didn’t take time on Pogacar
It is a meaningful statistics. In the sixteenth ride, Pogacar picked up this Tour time for the eighth time. Conversely, the Dane never succeeded. The Pogacar lead on Vingegaard is now 4 minutes and 15 seconds, with two mountain rides to go.
It seems like an impossible task for Vingegaard, but they don’t want to think like that at Visma-Lease A Bike. “We are not going to give up and only to drive behind the Pogacar team,” says first team leader Grischa Niermann at the Visma team. “I assume that Uae can also respect that. And for the spectators it is nice that we continue to try it. Even though Pogacar was fantastic again today.”
Visma-Lease A Bike did everything to one of the most famous mountains in France. Tiesj Benoot and Victor Campenaerts were in the leading group, so that they could do headwork for Vingegaard halfway through the Mont Ventoux. The leader himself placed one after the other attack and countered an acceleration of Pogacar.
Pogacar unloading, as Vingegaard did in 2021 on Mont Ventoux, did not work. But after a lesser second Tour week, with a slump on the Hautacam, the performance of the Deen did make optimism in his team.
“I have seen a very strong Jonas,” says Niermann. “We are normally only satisfied if we win a ride or have the yellow jersey. That did not work today, but the boys have driven fantastic. That gives us hope. Even though Pogacar did not shrink.”
Vingegaard is also delighted after his super -fast climb of Mont Ventoux, despite his unhappy collision with a photographer after the finish. “I felt very good today. I didn’t win time, but I do get a lot of motivation from this ride. I don’t know if I have seen weakness at Pogacar, but I keep trying.”
Thursday and Friday there are two more heavy stages in the Alps. On Thursday the finish is at the top of the Col de la Loze, the climb where Pogacar experienced his worst day on the bike in the tour of two years ago.
Pogacar knows that he can again expect an attack from Vingegaard on the Col de la Loze. But he doesn’t seem to worry. “Jonas will make it difficult for me up to and including Paris,” says the Slovenian. “But today I was able to put a nice check mark again. That gives me confidence for the coming days.”
Visma-Lease A Bike was Positive on Tuesday in the Tour de France After a Strong Performance on Mont Ventoux. But even on the ‘Bald Mountain’, Leader Jonas Vingegaard Couldn’t Gain Time on Tadej Pogacar. “We keep attacking.”
Pogacar Pauses Halfway through His First Answer at the Press Conference. “Where was Superman Born Again?”, The Yellow Jersey Wearer Wonders Aloud. “Something from crypto? I forgot.”
Pogacar is Forgiven for Not Being Able to Come Up With The Name of the Fictional Planet Krypton After the Tough SixteENTH Stage. It is the only task for which the yellow jersey wearer has to remain indebted on the last Tuesday of this tour. He parries no less than four attacks from Vingegaard on the Notorious Mont Ventoux and Crosses the Line Two Seconds Ahead of his Rival.
This Raises the Question Afterwards of Whether He is Superman. “Absolutely not,” Says Pogacar. “I was just born in Ljubljana. It was an epic climb today. I am very happy with my performance.”
The three-time tour winner Knew That Vingegaard would attack Him on Mont Ventoux. The Dane had announced this on Monday on the rest day. “Jonas Really Tried, Together with his team,” Says Pogacar. “At Some Moments I was at the limit on the ventoux. But luckily I had good legs and I was able to defend my yellow jersey. As I had planned in Advance.”
Vingegaard Hasn’t Gained Any Time On Pogacar in This Tour Yet
It is a count statistic. Pogacar gained time on Vingegaard for the Eighth Time in the Sixteenth Stage This Tour. The other way around, The Dane Hasn’t Succeded Once. Pogacar’s lead over Vingegaard is now 4 minutes and 15 seconds, with two more mountain internships to go.
It seems an impossible task for fingaard, but they don’t want to think that way at visma-lease a bike. “We don’t intend to give up and just ride Behind Pogacar’s team Until Paris,” Says First Team Leader Grischa Niermann at the Visma Team Bus. “I assume uae can respect that too. And for the spectators it is nice that we keep trying. Just though pogacar was fantastic again today.”
Visma-Lease a Bike Did Everything They Could on One of the Most Famous Mountains in France. Tiesj Benoot and Victor Campenaerts Were in The Leading Group, which Meant They Could Do Head Work for Vingegaard Halfway Up Mont Ventoux. The Leader himself Launched One Attack After Another and Countered An Acceleration From Pogacar.
Dropping Pogacar, ash Vingegaard Did on Mont Ventoux in 2021, Did Not Succeed. But after a lesser second tour week, with a slump on the hautacam, the dane’s performance did create optimism within his team.
“I SAW A VERY STRONG JONAS,” Says NIERMANN. “We are normally only satisfied if we win a stage or have the yellow jersey. That did work out today, but the guys red fantastic. That gives us hope. Even though pogacar Didn’t flinch.”
Vingegaard himself is also delighted after his lightning-fast climb or mont ventoux, despite his unfortunate collision with a photographer after the finish. “I felt very good today. I didnn’t win any time, but I get a lot of motivation from this ride. I don’t know if i saw weakness in pogacar, but I keep tryinging.”
There are two very tough stages in the alps on thursday and Friday. On Thorsday the Finish is on the top of the col de la Loze, the Climb Where Pogacar had his sausage day on the bike in the Tour Two years ago.
Pogacar Knows that can can be expect Another Attack from Vingegaard on the Col de la Loze Again Now. But he Doesn’t Seem Really Worried. “Jonas Will Make It Difficult for Me Until Paris,” Says the Slovenian. “But today I was able to tick off another nice box. That gives me confidence for the coming days.”