Tour de France chief Tadej Pogačar got here by one other stage he may label as “boring” on Saturday, ending safely within the peloton in Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises after one other quiet day for many of the Tour’s riders.
As has been the case with a number of of the sprinter-friendly phases to date, stage 8 introduced little motion earlier than the ultimate, with polka dot jersey holder Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility) the one rider within the break for the lion’s share of the day.
Pogačar, who mentioned on Friday that “this week is slightly bit like there’s nothing to look ahead to”, will little doubt be relishing the prospect of one other GC showdown on the gravel roads round Troyes on stage 9, even when, as he mentioned, the race might effectively be misplaced there.
“It’s essential to be much more sharp, much more targeted than at the moment,” Pogačar mentioned after the conclusion of stage 8. “And it’s worthwhile to watch out in every gravel sector, every entrance, every exit. And there could also be wind and rain.
“There’s going to be a number of issues that may trigger you crash or get caught behind. So, it isn’t going to be decisive, however you possibly can lose the Tour tomorrow.
“You may be the most effective on the gravel, however you probably have a puncture on the unsuitable second, you possibly can lose time, for positive. Tomorrow’s going to be lots about having good group management and focus to the end line.”
Some riders and group employees, most notably Soudal-QuickStep boss Patrick Lefevere, have voiced their opposition to the inclusion of gravel phases in Grand Excursions, saying that working stage races over roads like which means introducing an excessive amount of of a component of luck.
The most recent race content material, interviews, options, opinions and skilled shopping for guides, direct to your inbox!
Nonetheless, Pogačar shrugged off such questions, solely saying that he was right here to journey it and that “a number of different issues can occur”, like many different phases of the Tour.
“There are at all times these questions – ‘Is that this stage proper in or not within the Tour?’ I am not the one to ask, I have to race it, whether or not it is there or not. It is simply one other impediment within the Tour de France. Like each different stage, a number of different issues can occur. You must be prepared from begin to end. It could get sophisticated within the race.
“Tomorrow there isn’t any favorite. Mads Pedersen – if he could be right here. Now I do not see a pure favorite, as a result of there isn’t any single group to regulate or no matter, no single breakaway or no matter. It will likely be attention-grabbing tomorrow.”
One facet of the race that needs to be predictable is the hierarchy at Pogačar’s UAE Staff Emirates. The Tour’s first mountain stage over the Col du Galibier noticed a contact of drama within the camp as João Almeida appeared to chastise Juan Ayuso for not using on the entrance because the squad raced to arrange their chief.
Pogačar mentioned that the temper within the group is sweet, whereas additionally responding to a query about rumours of discontent with a zipped mouth gesture.
“I’ve learn some stuff,” he mentioned as he made the motion. “Clearly, we have now a very robust group – João, Juan and Adam [Yates] – actually shut on GC. It is a good card to have truly and for now, the temper nonetheless fairly good.
“We are going to see how the temper can be within the final week. It is the primary time racing with João and Juan collectively and I did not race lots with Juan. It needs to be wonderful. Everyone knows why we’re right here, and what the principle objective is. Thus far, so good.”
Get limitless entry to all of our protection of the Tour de France – together with breaking information and evaluation reported by our journalists on the bottom from each stage of the race because it occurs and extra. Discover out extra
