Too obvious on todays stage where Pogačar would attack and he did not disappoint when he did. Where you see the peak of the highest mountain is where he made his move.
Today saw the start of week 2 of the Tour De France and if anyone is going to attack Tadej Pogačar's overall lead this needs to happen this week. Tadej Pogačar has a 2 minute 42 second lead and sitting back defending his lead is not in his thoughts. We have seen this tactic work with other champions yet Tadej Pogačar's DNA tells us he will want to win more stages putting any thoughts of victory by other riders to bed.
Pogačar is not someone who settles and like any top sportsman at the top of their game needs to dominate and be ruthless on their execution. I think this is what I enjoy the most about Pogačar as he takes no prisoners and does not hold back. If we look at champions in other sports they all have a ruthless streak because anything else will be seen as a sign of weakness. A boxer if he has his opponent on the ropes delivers the knock out blows or they will be questioned not having the right stuff required.
The commentators strangely enough questioned Pogačar the other day saying he doesn't need to win the stage and can let other riders win instead. This is the same type of attitude "it is the taking part that counts" and is not normal thinking in competitive sports and definitely thinking I struggle to understand.
Todays stage being stage 10 was ideal for Pogačar finishing on a short climb after a long climb with a short 12 km flat between them. I think everyone watching kind of knew what to expect and was wondering when the entertainment of Pogačar's attack was going to happen. If you want to demoralize your opposition then you do not give them a sniff of hope and leave them fighting over the two remaining podium places.
The timing of the attack is always critical because you have to use your strength to your advantage and Pogačar attacked with 16km to go and crossed over the second last climb with a small advantage of 12 seconds and was never seen again. When Pogačar crossed the finish line he had increased his lead by another 44 seconds and his advantage is now 3 minutes 26 seconds. If the other contenders don't make a move soon the chances are slowly going to run out.
The one big chance remaining is stage 19 being the second last stage with the finish on the famous Alpe De Huez which features a 13.8 km climb at 8.1 degrees. The one problem is Pogačar will expect all out attacks and he could attack before everyone else. If he has a 4 or 5 minute lead it may be too much for others to overcome as this is the very last opportunity to turn the tables and Pogačar is looking for his 5th Tour de France title and that would make him equal the most wins by any rider in the history of the event. This would place him on equal footing with legends like Bernard Hinault and Eddy Merckx knowing if he wins this year next year could be the year he surpasses them and will be driving him on even more to new highs.
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