wins Pla d’Adet and beats Wingegaard by almost two minutes

The starter was a firework. The first Pyrenean stage was a fury. Tadej Pogacarso determined to reconquer the skies of Tours, to pay off so many outstanding debts to Jonas Wingegaard. If in the Massif Central the situation seemed to be changing, then on the way to Pla d’Adet, where 50 years ago Poulidor discovered this ascent before the Spanish Lopez Carrilthe Slovenian dispelled his doubts and continued to ride as he knows how, and this time ambitiously, boldly and tactfully, to get another piece of this tour, which, however, still has its bright moments. (Narrative and classifications)

For the 25-year-old genius, it was his 13th victory at the Grand Boucle, the 79th in a career that has already become legendary. At the summit, he had a 39-second advantage (plus six bonuses) over Vingegaard, which now puts him almost two minutes ahead in the overall standings (1:57). But above all, it was the feeling, the strength of the leader and his team, who did not miss. Juan Ayusowho took responsibility and surprised with the attack Adam Yates as a prelude to Tadej’s symphony.

The temperature on stage had risen, as it had during the day, cloudy and cool at dawn, the sun was already shining towards midday, when the Pyrenean ports began to accumulate, on Saturday three, that is to say, up to eight at one end. week, to clarify the unknown. And first of all none other than the Tourmalet, where 70 years had passed since the first appearance. Bahamontes crowned him with a head, where Oyer Lazcano paid him tribute. The indefatigable Vitorian, always brave in this Tour, who hails his run in agony, his legs of pure strength; He passed through the colossus in front, another Spaniard put his name there.

But the escape, which became thinner as the day went on (debutante Garcia Pierna was a participant at the beginning), his hours were numbered. “I am not the one who should go on the offensive,” Pogacar warned in this game of intentions, concealment or display of lies and truth. But it was the Emirates of the UAE that took the upper hand in the race, especially on the climb to the Urquette d’Ancizan, when Politt gave way Mark Soler and everyone stood in line (they fell Hindley, Enric Mas, Haig…), although the director of Visma Lease a Bike, always cunning Grisha Nirmannalso hid behind irony in his (public) radio talks: “The UAE is moving at a decent pace, it’s good for us, it’s good for Jonas.”

This time Joseán Fernández Matsín He has shuffled his cards well. The strategy is executed to perfection. Like a rhythm Sivakov on the road to Saint-Lary-Soulan did not seem demanding enough, he soon sent his Praetorian Almeidawho rose. And Tadej whispered to Adam Yates about the moment of impact, so that he would send him forward, so that JorgensonVingegor’s only comrade will soon burn.

There were 4.6 kilometers left when the leader unleashed his fury, one of those attacks that no one can follow. He soon found an ally in Yates, a vital relief, a few seconds of oxygen and the opportunity to continue to the summit. Jonas closed in, but did not close the gap. And the distance became important, the extra seconds adding to a disadvantage that was already bothering him. Soon after he arrived Remco Evenepoel and not far away Carlos Rodriguez who seems to have recovered and is ready to fight for the podium before Nice.