At the dawn of the 109th of the Tour de France, Tadej Pogacar arrives in Copenhagen with the number one favorites tag. After his victories in 2020 and 2021. Dismissing his second in the standings at 7’03” last year, the Slovenian is not into lace. As he said to La Gazzetta dello Sport. He comes stronger “I feel stronger, I have more power”.
The course, thing to look out for for Slovenian.
This year, the course is very difficult with a 13km technical time trial to begin in Copenhagen. This hasn't happened since 2017 with a time trial which was 14km in the streets of Düsseldorf. So, gaps between the favorites from the first stage can push certain rivals to launch hostilities early.
The rest in Denmark promises to be epic with this Great Belt Bridge at 18 Km from the finish of the 2nd stage with risks of borders. But above all, the return of the cobblestones, on the 5th stage. The northern cobblestones were no longer there since 2017, and the victory of John Degenkolb . Note that day a very comfortable Vincenzo Nibali who finished 3rd and won the big loop 15 days later, so it is not impossible to see climbers at ease this 6 July towards Arenberg Porte du Hainaut.
The last key point, this is the timer 23 July. The 20th stage between Lacapelle-Marival and Rocamadour. Solitary effort of 40,700 km. In addition to being at the end of the Tour de France, it's a long time, steep with two difficulties in the final, the Côte de Magès (1,6km to 4,7%) and the Côte de l’Hospitalet (1,5km to 7,8%). It’s obvious if on this time the gap between the first and the second is a maximum of 1’30” nothing will be decided, quite the contrary, the pressure will be on the shoulders of the leader.
The key points of Tamau Pogi.
- His racing sense,
- Her thighs,
- Its versatility,
- His attack.
- His team
- Its preparation
Tadej Pogacar always knew how to make the race crazy, with his attacks, but also its explosiveness, which could disgust more than one. We think back to his attack in the Col de Romme, on the Tour de France 2021., On the 8th stage after a lot of work from Davide Formolo, he disunited Richard Carapaz even before La Colombière. Her thighs, are not those of a pure climber like, as evidenced by its level on the times,the white paths, or even very steep arrivals.
Compared to an Enric Mas, his legs are strong and protruding. Its versatility, is no less strong than his sense of racing.I, he excels everywhere and wins at least one stage in each race he competes in. His attacks are unstoppable and no one can counter him. With a movement of the arm, he swings his bike from right to left until the opponent is exhausted. Without looking behind, as proof of increased confidence over the years.
His team is perhaps the element that can cause Tadej Pogacar to lose., Even if the composition is validated by the Slovenian master, on race day, Tadej Pogacar cannot decide the level of his teammates., Compared to Jumbo-Visma or Ineos, UAE seems in bad shape. With Mikkel Bjerg, George Bennett, Marc Soler, Vegard Stake Laengen, Rafal Majka, Brandon Mcnulty, and Marc Hirschi he does not have a powerful enough mountain train. There is only Majka and Mcnulty who can be Tadej Pogacar's all-risk agency. For Marc Soler and George Bennett, their level is unknown. Another downside, he did not do the Critérium du Dauphiné, nor the Tour de Suisse., He then arrives on the Tour with less elevation in his legs. He walked the home roads of the Tour of Slovenia, which he won easily.
Ses 7 Rivals
- Primož Roglič, winner of the last three Vuelta, never won the Tour de France. His knee problems disrupted him this season. Nevertheless, the Slovenian seems equipped with a team worthy of a crime saga. Avec Tiesj Benoot, Wout Van Aert, Steven Kruijswijk, Sepp Kuss, and Jonas Vingegaard is a train that Primoz will have in the mountains. Furthermore, he will have to try to attack Tadej Pogacar from afar so that he finds himself alone. The Olympic time champion will have to try collectively to attack Pogacar s’ he wants to win his first big buckle.
- But Henry, the sole leader of Eusebio Unzué, wants to be reassuring, after a big fall on the Tour du Pays Basques. He quickly returned to his level. Spanish is still very young. This is not his last chance to win the Tour de France. We know it, the new generation arrived very quickly. They quickly demonstrate maturity that previously the Spaniard will not have to wait for the Rocamadour time trial if he wants to win the Tour de France., He will rather have to make the difference at Châtel, The Alpes d’Huez, or Peyragudes, You won't tell me.
- Jonas Vingegaard, : the man who makes no noise. The boy from Hillerslev sees himself one day winning the Tour de France. He who was not predestined to become a climber. However, he was the only one, Last year, to let go of Tadej Pogacar. It has the advantage of not undergoing, pressure., It’s Primoz Roglic who will get it., Jonas Vingegaard, will have to play it like Chris Froome on the Tour de France 2012,. A model team member and secretly dreaming of disillusionment with Primoz Roglic to take on the role of leader.
But also…
- Quintana nairo, favorites to a top 5, because the last time will be detrimental to him, no longer makes the difference in the mountains as in 2015 or 2016. The man from Bogota prepared. And he will have to take the escapes from afar to hope for something great.
- David Gaudu, designated leader of Groupama FDJ, will have the weight of the race for the yellow jersey., Author of a season contrasted by a fall at Paris-Nice, and long months of downtime, the Little Prince of Brittany will be present. He will have to rely on his punch to make the difference. Particularly in Mende, lLa Planche des Belles Filles or why not from Longwy.
- Daniel Martinez :, the Colombian is versatile. This allows him to attack everywhere, in theory. Not the best in the mountains but comfortable everywhere, maybe he’s the new fantasy., In the style of Tejay Van Garderen, it could limit damage in the mountains and regain time on the Cchronos. Very good tactician, he has a big armada.
- Alexandr Vlasov, will be motivated. For sure. He has the advantage of being the least known boy by Tadej Pogacar. The giant runner from the Bora-Hansgrohe is a very good climber., He is also the national time trial champion. He knows how to be smart when necessary. He will have to take advantage of his relaxation to outwit his opponents and attack early enough.. The Col du Granon fits like a glove.
Tadej Pogacar will have to be wary of these 3 weeks and not playing rock paper scissors to pounce on the attacks of rivals.
