The cycling aces have hardly longed for a day of rest as much as this one at the Tour de France. The 108th Tour of France showed its teeth with the jagged profile, the bad weather and the many falls in the first week. Only one is apparently unimpressed by it. Tadej Pogacar is picking up where he left off last year. He dominates the competition at will.
The Australian Ben O ?? Connor cheered yesterday about the stage win in the ski resort of Tignes in the Alps. In pouring rain and low temperatures, he reached the top as a soloist and moved up to second place in the overall standings. Pogacar from UAE Team Emirates extended his overall lead as sixth of the day (+2: 01 minutes on O ?? Connor). Third overall is the Colombian Rigoberto Uran (EF), already 5:18 minutes behind.
Already on Saturday Pogacar had torn apart the field on the first stage of the Alps. The 22-year-old, who was already convincing in the time trial on Wednesday, left all direct competitors behind with a solo attack while driving over the Cote de Mont-Saxonnex, the Col de Romme and the Col de la Colombiere. “It was a return coach for Friday, where they left my team to work alone,” said Pogacar afterwards.
Austria’s champion Patrick Konrad tried his luck again yesterday after Friday, where seventh place looked out in the end. This time, 16th place looked out for the Bora driver.
Last year’s second Primoz Roglic, handicapped by fall injuries, saved himself the wild rain ride yesterday. He had dropped out before the ninth section because of the hopeless situation in the classification. Mathieu van der Poel, who wore the yellow jersey for five days after his stage win a week ago, was also no longer at the start. The 26-year-old now wants to fully prepare for his Olympic start in mountain biking.
Gogl fell on a descent
Upper Austria’s tour starters have to grit their teeth. Michael Gogl (Qhubeka) crashed on a rain-soaked road on a downhill run on Saturday, but was able to continue. Lukas Pöstlberger (Bora) also went down, but yesterday did a lot of work for his captain Wilco Kelderman. The tour of the suffering is in full swing.
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
