From our special correspondent in Saint-Lary-Soulan,
It’s not that we are particularly chauvinistic, but we would have liked to tell you this Wednesday about the fabulous success of Anthony Perez in the fog and the cold of the Col du Portet, at 2,215 m above sea level. A Frenchman who wins on July 14 for the first time since Warren Barguil in 2017, a Cofidis in addition, or the member of a team that has failed to achieve success on the Tour since Sylvain Chavanel in 2008. What a beautiful story… But Tadej Pogacar did not want it.
The boss had decided that this step was for him. And when he wants something… Launched like a shell, the 22-year-old Slovenian devoured the Toulouse driver 8 km from the finish, with Jonas Vingegaard and Richard Carapaz in his wake. “When they picked me up, I was like, ‘Damn, they drive fast!’ “, Smiles despite everything the combative of the day, which will end at more than 16 minutes.
🚴Tadej Pogačar accelerates and takes over Anthony Perez
The yellow jersey goes in search of stage victory # TDF2021
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– France tv sport (@francetvsport) July 14, 2021
On the line, there was only the leader of the UAE Emirates, for his fifth stage victory in the Big Loop, his second this year and his first with the yellow jersey on the shoulders. The Dane and the Ecuadorian, who will accompany him except hard blow on the podium Sunday in Paris? “They were very good, I just sprinted 50 meters, and that was enough”, slice “Pogi”, who also covered his team with praise, since no one else in the peloton or among the followers do not take care of it.
“He’s not afraid to stick his teeth out”
Author of a very good race, David Gaudu (fourth this Wednesday) can only show allegiance. “The three in front were the strongest, there is 1’12 ” on the line [1’19” si on veut chipoter]. There is no regret to have when you are beaten by the stronger. “As for Pogacar,” he showed that it was a hell of a yellow jersey and that he was not afraid to stick his teeth out “, notes the leader of a stunted FDJ (four riders still in the race).
Guillaume Martin is even more eloquent: “We can see that on a stage finish like that, Pogacar is untouchable, loose the best French overall (9th). We had the impression in the second week that he had a stroke less well. A priori, it is back. He was keen to win with the yellow jersey on one of the most beautiful stages of the Tour. “
The extremely rare Slovenes present along the 16 km of the very steep Col du Portet, lost between the Basque ikurriña, the Breton gwenn-ha-du and the Cochonou bobs, may have seen their champion sketch a curious grin.
“Sometimes when I am in pain, my face shows a smile. But maybe the camera showed the moment I walked past my girlfriend. I felt pure joy. I really enjoyed the race. “
The 9% average of the last climb, after the Peyresourde and Val-Louron-Azet passes, did not get the better of his good humor, largely understandable when carrying around 5’39 ” ahead of his dolphin (Vingegaard), four days from the keel. About the Dane of the Jumbo-Visma, his elder by almost two years, Pogacar assures to see in him “a future winner of the Tour”. When he himself is absent then …
To infinity and beyond ?
Because for the moment, the Cannibal of Klanec walks in the footsteps of the quartet with five victories: Anquetil, Merckx, Hinault and Indurain (as a reminder Armstrong and his seven successes never existed). By the way, Woet Poels can tremble, with his nine small point lead in the mountain standings. If he decides, the Slovenian will sign a second hat-trick in a row on Sunday: yellow, white and polka-dot jerseys. And he seems to have decided, as we will undoubtedly see this Thursday between Pau and Luz-Ardiden.