Pogacar’s phenomenal ride didn’t quite give him the lead in the overall standings, but he lets him sit in the driver’s seat for the title, 1 min. 44 seconds ahead of Carapaz, while Roglic and Thomas are four and 10 seconds further behind.
Tadej Pogacar takes part in the fifth stage of the Tour de France cycle race, an individual time trial over 27.2 kilometers. AP photo
Laval: The defending champion Tadej Pogacar warned the prospective Tour de France title contenders by storming the individual time trial on Wednesday, while Mathieu van der Poel held the overall lead after the fifth stage.
Van der Poel retained his yellow jersey was only eight seconds ahead, while the Ineos couple Geraint Thomas and Richard Carapaz lost more than a minute on Slovenia’s improving Pogacar, who is now second in the overall standings.
Before the 27.2 km long Time trial, Pogacar described the stage as crucial to his chances of defending the title he won in 2020 and the way he rode on Wednesday underpinned that statement.
Pogacar won last year’s Tour de France by reversing compatriot Primoz Roglic’s comfortable lead in the time trial on the penultimate day, and here he seemed to do at least as well as on that fateful day on the acclaimed La Planch slope e des Belles Filles, where he prevailed the tour on his rookie appearance.
« It couldn’t have gone better today, » said the 22-year-old UAE driver. « With so many fans along the way, it was very emotional and I rate this as one of my best days in the saddle.
» I’ve changed my riding position, it’s less aerodynamic, but it gives me more thrust, « added Pogacar added after measuring exactly 32 minutes on the 27.2 km route and achieving an average of 51 km / h (32 mph).
His time was 44 seconds faster than Roglic’s, who was strong on Monday fell, and 1 minute 18 seconds faster than 2018 champion Thomas, who dislocated his shoulder before he managed to get up and finish the same fall-damaged stage.
Pogacar’s phenomenal ride didn’t quite get him that Leading the overall standings, but he lets him sit in the driver’s seat for the title, 1 min. 44 seconds ahead of Carapaz, while Roglic and Thomas are four and 10 seconds further behind.
« There are still a few tricky stages, even at a le ot looking day you never know what can happen, « said Pogacar. « I’m further ahead now and attacks will come every day. »
« I was at the right pace, but lacked a bit of strength. I woke up with a terrible feeling and just loosened up on the road » he said
Richard Carapaz said he was glad the test was behind him while Richie Porte said it was far from over saying, « We have a good tactical card to play it was a good performance. «
Van der Poel had vowed to defend the yellow jersey but this was only the second time he had ridden a top level time trial and he exceeded all expectations to take the lead on his Hold debut tour.
« He’s a true champion, he deserves his yellow card, and he put on a great show, didn’t he, » said Pogacar of Van der Poel.
The rough emotions that Van der Poel accompanied him when he took yellow on the second stage and his recently deceased grandfather and former Gen cyclist Raymond Poulidor, who never wore yellow despite winning seven stages, gave way to a lighter side of « VDP », as the fans call him.
« The jersey has given me wings, I’m really proud of it A performance that will stay in my memory, « said the 26-year-old, who was wildly cheered by the French fans who were standing close to the track.
On a day when a spectator who was on the first The 5th stage caused a mass accident of drivers, was arrested by the French police, tens of thousands of fans stormed the roadside as the tension increased towards the finish line.
« That was the best day of my career. We didn’t think I could keep the jersey today, but we worked well past midnight last night to get everything ready, « said Van der Poel, who wore a bespoke yellow one-piece.
Van der Poel will be the overall lead probably a few days longer, with two flat stages.
Another lucky man was veteran Mark Cavendish, who held the green jersey as the best sprinter.
« I held back a little today because two flat stages are imminent and I need my energy to sprint, « said the Isle of Man rider.
The Briton won the mass sprint on Tuesday to increase his Tour de France record to 31 and the all-time stage record of 34 of the Belgian grandmaster Eddy Merckx.
Changed date:
July 01, 2021 12:09:15 AM IST
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When tour rookie Mathieu van der Poel celebrated a memorable triumph in glowing goose bumps, Thomas couldn’t keep up on the last kilometer.
Shortly after the start of the 150-kilometer flat stretch from Redon to Fougeres, the entire peloton came to a short standstill before it slowly started again.
Cavendish made the Deceuninck Tour de France list after Irish sprinter Sam Bennett was eliminated at the last minute, and generously praised the team’s crucial role in his return to the top.
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