Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) struck a big blow on the 4th stage of the Tour de France this Tuesday. The Slovenian took advantage of the summit of the Col du Galibier to take a few seconds ahead of Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike). Pogacar then made a big descent to take back 35 seconds from his pursuers. The leader of the UAE Team Emirates is now leader of the Tour de France with more than 45 seconds ahead of Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step).
Tadej Pogacar’s reaction after his victory
“The descent? It was a little scary.”
Tadej Pogacar returned to his stage after the arrival: “I’m super happy, that was more or less the plan and we executed it perfectly, it was like a dream stage and then I finished solo. We wanted to make the stage tough, I knew this stage really well, I’ve trained a lot here in the last few weeks, it was a bit like a home stage, it was also good to take some bonuses at the top of the Galibier. I had a lot of confidence at the start, I had good legs and I had to try. There was a lot of wind at the start of the climb, it was super tough and the team did a good job on the climb, I didn’t want to leave too early because of the wind. I had to make all the difference in the last meters.”
The Slovenian built most of his lead in the descent of the Galibier Passwhich he admitted to knowing well: “I knew the descent, just a little surprised to see the wet road on the first corners, it was a little scary. I still managed to do a very fast descent, when you know it, it’s easier.” From now on, Pogacar has a good margin over its rivals: “The lead is very good news and I can be happy to be in this position. I am also very happy with my form, with how I feel on the bike. We will continue day after day and try to enjoy ourselves. You know there is the individual time trial this week, the scenarios can be reversed but I have full confidence in myself.”
