The 3 stages face a tough test. With the ascent of Tourmalet and Pla d’Adet, the wheat may be separated from the chaff on stage 14. But how should Pogacar, Evenepoel and Vingaard deal with this problem later? The guests of Vive le vélo took on the role of team leader.
It’s time for the Pyrenees on the Tour. No less than two first-class climbs await on stage 14.
On the Tourmalet and the Pla d’Adet, the strongest climbers can try to make their first real push into the competition. But how do they do it best? One leader is assigned to each guest at Vive le vélo.
Stijn Steels as captain of Remco Evenepoel
Can Remco Evenepoel compete with the top two absolute favourites in this round tomorrow? Under Stijn Steels, the advice is already clear.
It was like, “Follow. Always follow, follow, follow.” “Don’t take the lead and see where the ship ends up.”
“We still assume that these two will be a little bit better on the climbs. The main goal was the top five at the start and now a podium. Then now he has to follow suit and give everything he has in the final time trial.”
Let’s wait and see if Remco Evenepoel can effectively put his teeth into the wheel of Pogacar and Vingegaard.
Evenepoel is keen to retain his second place in the world rankings.
Zico Waeytens as team captain Jonas Vingegaard
Former rider Zico Waeytens is currently riding with the VIP trucks at Lotto – Dstny, but is wearing Visma-Lease a Bike gear for the occasion.
How will Vingegard guide you through the first Pyrenees stage?
“I think Vingegaard can release Pogacar on the climb,” Waeytens was immediately clear. “Especially on the last climb.”
“Why? Not many people know this, but in the time trial, Jonas rode the hills 11 seconds faster than Pogacar. And in the previous mountain stage he also got close to the Slovenian by 30 seconds.”
“It will only grow in the match. Also, Pogacar’s sugar rush seemed a bit strange last time.”
“So I say: Wait until the last climb. If he feels good, he can go there as soon as possible.”
Vingegaard has already defeated Pogacar on stage 11.
Jan Bakelants as sporting director for Tadej Pogacar
Finally, the yellow jersey also received some good advice. Jan Bakelants was allowed to provide Tadej Pogacar with winning tactics.
“As soon as possible, I understand,” he first returned to Zico White’s words. “The hardest part of the climb is the first 5 kilometers.”
But attacks? Pogacar shouldn’t do that at all from Bakilancs. “I think Pogacar should follow Vingegaard tomorrow and win the sprint,” he said.
“If we want to make a comparison, we can look at last year. Then Pogacar won the stage on the Tourmalet, where Visma-Lease a Bike made a huge mess. But this year they simply don’t have the team for that,” he concluded with a clear statement.
“Then it comes to the last climb and I think Pogacar suits it better. Although we won’t see a big difference tomorrow.”
Anyway, the pressure seems to be on Vingegaard’s shoulders. Because Pogacar and Evenepoel? Their team leader just lets them continue.
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