A sure-footed confidence trickster: Pogacar's mind games
DPA
· 30.06.2023
With a beret on his freshly coiffed head and energised by the euphoric fans, Tadej Pogacar was confident of victory. With a victory sign in the direction of the crowds, the Slovenian rolled off the ramp at the famous Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. The clear message: overall victory in the 110th Tour de France only goes through me.
Pogacar assigns Vingegaard the role of favourite
A good three hours earlier, the Slovenian, who was named the "new cannibal" of cycling by the great Eddy Merckx himself, had been unusually reserved. "Jonas is the top favourite for the Tour," said Pogacar about his rival and defending champion Jonas Vingegaard. He had also dominated the dress rehearsal, the Criterium du Dauphine, with ease. "Afterwards he said that he wasn't at his best yet. Let's see what he does at the Tour," said Pogacar. There were certainly a few mind games before the Grand Depart on Saturday, but the 23-year-old didn't seem entirely convinced.
At the end of an outstanding spring, Pogacar broke his navicular bone, among other things, in a fall at the end of April. It is still not completely healed. Although he has no problems on the bike, he estimates his mobility at 70 per cent at best. What is also missing are the racing kilometres. He only has the Slovenian championships in his legs, which didn't really challenge him. What effect will this have over three weeks on the toughest tour in years with over 55,000 metres of altitude? The superstar knows that as little as anyone else.
Crisp start in the Basque Country
Pogacar's next problem: he has to be there from the very first stage. "In the end, there will be at most 10 to 15 riders at the front," said the two-time Tour winner about the opening stage. The landscape in the Basque Country is like a rollercoaster ride, with 3200 metres of climbing on the first stage with start and finish in Bilbao. The second day will be no different with the replica of the Clásica San Sebastián, which is also the longest stage of the Tour at 209 kilometres.
Vingegaard does not want to be seduced by Pogacar's flattery before the duel between the high-flyers. On the contrary. "To be honest, I expect him to attack on the first stage. A bit like last year. I have to be ready for that," said the Dane. The life of the lanky chap from Jutland has been turned upside down since his triumph. "But I'm still the same. That's the most important thing," emphasised the 26-year-old.
Vingegaard completely focussed on Tour de France 2023
In contrast to Pogacar, who won the Tour of Flanders this year, Vingegaard's season is completely focussed on the Tour. He spent the year between the tours mainly working on his explosiveness on short climbs. Vingegaard said that he felt he had improved in this area. That would be bad news for Pogacar, as he often managed to gain a few seconds on these profiles.
The fact is: it will be tough, hectic and merciless. And that from the very first day, when most people aren't even thinking about the eight mountain stages. There will probably be a few more crashes on the narrow Basque roads. This is as unavoidable in the Tour as the French longing for a local winner. There won't be one this year either. Or to put it another way: For that to happen, so much has to happen, it can't happen at all.
Tour de France 2023: What are the Germans' chances?
And from a German perspective? Georg Zimmermann probably has the greatest potential for a stage win. After two years in the Tour, the Bavarian seems ready for the big time. Emanuel Buchmann will be the noble helper for ex-Giro winner Jai Hindley. If the Australian finishes on the podium, it would be a great success for Team Bora-hansgrohe. And somehow also a German one.
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