Tadej Pogacar gathered his closest people around him on the rest day of the 2023 Tour de France for the decisive week of the race.
"My parents have been here for a few days, and my fiancée has also been here since the stage on the Grand Colombier, which gives me extra motivation and confidence for the coming days," said the Slovenian professional cyclist after another Alpine battle with defending champion Jonas Vingegaard.
Rest day at the Tour de France
On Monday, it was all about resting, relaxing, easy training and a few media appointments for both of them. The Dane Vingegaard, who is staying in a hotel on Mont Blanc with his team, also drew strength from his time with his wife Trine and daughter Frida. When asked what he was doing, he replied with a smile: "Just relaxing." However, he also relied on the psychological factor and told his rival in a media-effective manner that he would explore the course of the individual time trial on Tuesday. The message to Pogacar: "I will be prepared.
Fignon vs. Lemond reloaded?
The crazy battle for seconds is almost reminiscent of the thriller between the Frenchman Laurent Fignon and the American Greg Lemond, who won the Tour in 1989 by a mere eight seconds. It is difficult to predict who will finish first on the podium. Cycling expert Jens Voigt has already made up his mind: "I see a slight advantage for Pogacar, he is simply fresher. His crash in Liège forced him to take a break and give his body time to recover," the former pro told the German Press Agency, referring to Pogacar's mishap at the end of April when he suffered a scaphoid fracture.
Pogacar vividly illustrated on his Instagram account with a fan's drawing of the two rivals playing chess, showing how tactical the duel between the favourites has become. Vingegaard is only a wafer-thin ten seconds ahead after the equalised Alpine climbs.
Time trial on Tuesday at the Tour de France
Of the remaining five stages to the finish in Paris, three are in the foreground, where a preliminary decision is likely to be made. Vingegaard will start later in the time trial on Tuesday and can adjust his pace at any time thanks to Pogacar's split times. The steep climb at the end should suit both riders. "Tuesday and Wednesday will be decisive," surmised the 24-year-old Pogacar.
Decision probably in the Vosges
Wednesday sees the arduous ascent to the Col de la Loze. It climbs to just under 2300 metres. This could possibly be the kingmaker stage of the Tour. After some flatter stages, the 20th stage in the Vosges should bring a decision one day before the podium ceremony in Paris at the latest.
Vingegaard maintained his lead over the two-time Tour de France overall winner on Sunday as the two rolled across the finish line shoulder to shoulder. Last year's winner easily parried Tadej Pogacar's attacks and didn't even have to get off the saddle to fend off one of the Slovenian's breakaway manoeuvres. "I had the feeling that Jonas was super good and I knew that I couldn't really lose him," said Pogacar. He still has three chances to stand at the top of the podium after 2020 and 2021.
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