Really hot today (I know that's no surprise) but difficult to raise a walk let alone get on a bike. Not bothered to go this year but watching it from a very hot lounge.
The next 3 days in the Pyrenees will decide the GC but will it all boil down to the ascent of Hautacam on Thursday? Nice stage today with the Category 1 Mur de Péguère going up to 18% in places.
Another strange old day ahead with satellite riders up the road for Pog and Vin. Wout being in the break is now the new normal!! Imagine how close he would be on GC but for that kamikaze stage early in the race! I think this sets up perfectly for Dani Martinez and Neilson Powless. They won’t get chased down like Vlasov will and they are both more than capable of winning this now.
He was too close to the front of the race for others to cooperate with him. He is just under top class and obviously doesn't have as good form as those who went on to win the stage. Today is a big day for the yellow jersey, a mountaintop finish and a heck of a last climb. It looks a fascinating day. I think Pidcock and Pinot will try and get up the road, and if they do, it means once again that Ineos won't need to ride on the front. As such JV and UAE will have to decide if they want to win the stage and chase the break. JV won't want to let Pogacar pick up bonus seconds, so I doubt they will chase the break down, and UAE could implode even further if they do chase the break. As such, I expect the break to win today, and Pidcock and Pinot look the two to be with.
Well this could be the moment of truth for the yellow jersey. Having dropped Thomas I would expect Pogacar and Vingegaard to drop McNulty on the final climb and it will be man vs man up the final category 1 today.
Wow this descent is amazing. Pogacar on the ground, sporting of Vingegaard to wait for him. Great sport, great sport.
Incredible sportsmanship I think he knows that he can cope with everything that Pogacar can throw at him although this race has a sneaky way of catching up with you
That looks to be the decisive move. Pog has battled like a true champ with very little team support but he looks beaten now.
UAE have learnt that they can’t just throw any old team together and Pogacar will win regardless. Good for the sport this head to head, had Pogacar dominated again it would have lost a lot of its interest. Can’t wait for next year.
Do you think Ineos will build around Pidcock next year? Thomas seems to be past his best .............
Problem is their best GC rider got injured in a road accident this season. Egan Bernal would have been their leader but for that. Hopefully he recovers fully.
Whilst he is a super talent I cannot see him being a GC candidate. I am sure he has been signed with the plan that he will add to an already strong squad but Jumbo Visma are equally talented and have two GC contenders. UAE only really have the one and by picking Hirschi (who I like a lot) they came here with an already weakened squad. They thought Pogacar was invincible but didn’t we all.