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14 Jul | 13th stage | 138 km | Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne - Grand Colombier | Mountain | Live Tracker | Results
I feel this could go two ways, it will either be a great stage with lots of gc action or hardly anything happens, because they are saving themselves for the next 2 days. I don't think Pogacar can afford to save himself though. He has a fair chance of getting the boni seconds at the finish line which he should probably go for.
Not sure I agree that Pogacar needs time here, though I can very well imagine him taking some. I don't think the race will come down to ~4 seconds so I think the bonuses are a bit irrelevant.
I'm expecting Tadej and Jonas to take 1st and 2nd, but I don't think Jumbo Visma will chase a break today so there could easily be a surprise winner.
Not a bad prediction at all!
Thank you. I'm here all week.
4 seconds sure, but it's at least plausible if Pog wins the winning margin will be less than his bonus second advantage (which is already 21s despite Jonas being on his ass the whole time). He doesn't look able to crack Jonas in any serious way and if he can't he can only win by taking time/bonies in the finales.
doesn’t look able to crack
It generally only takes one day though. I'm still mostly expecting one to crack the other and take a minute or more on one of the later stages.
If that doesn't happen then every second counts. But I don't think that is plan A.
Looks like this cost him stage 14. If he goes with a k or less from the top he gets a gap and keeps it on the descent I reckon,for maybe a 20s gain plus bonuses. As it was he got caught because he insisted on going for the knockout blow and actually lost time on the bonuses! A mistake IMO but maybe he knows something about the relative climbing form of the two that I don't. Three more big days to find out if either can make the decisive move!
find out if either can make the decisive move!
Answer: yes.
And how. Kinda bummed it wasn't a more suspenseful end.
I actually don't think Pog had too much in the tank in the end, or he'd have attacked earlier and they'd have chased harder. Curious about tomorrow.
Exactly what I was thinking, an exciting two days ahead.
I am really curious about tomorrow especially. I really hope Jumbo gives a stronger impression, I was disappointed today. Not surprised, exactly, given their dumb breakaways.... But still disappointed.
I thought he was trying to put Van Gils between him and Vinge but didn't quite get the timing right.
I also noticed Vinge almost collapsed at the line and needed assistance to move away from the finish line (as did a lot of others). I think they're both giving their max.
With GC positions 4-8 all within about a minute of eachother, I'd expect to see a bit of a shake up there.
It's amazing how strong all these riders are - tour winning numbers in any other generation, but Pogacar and Vingegaard are just that much better. What do the others need to eat for brekkie to get on the same level?
Whatever ISM is feeding pogi (and it’s not a steady diet of zone 2…)