Tour de France press conferences on days like stage 10 are fairly unusual affairs. There was little or no to speak about, with there being no breakaway, no moments of hazard, solely a routine bunch dash which resulted in Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) profitable.
It was, in fact, a boring day in the course of France – kilometres from the precise, correct center of metropolitan France – even Philipsen himself acknowledged this, joking that maybe it was a stage to sleep by.
At the very least Philipsen received. For the race chief, Tadej Pogačar (UAE Staff Emirates), the person in yellow, it was a nothing day. Blink, and also you missed it. Nothing modified. 33 seconds forward of Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Fast-Step) in Orléans, 33 seconds forward of Evenepoel in Saint-Armand-Montrond. Nothing modified, however 187.3km had been raced.
The Slovenian nonetheless needed to undergo the rigmarole of the rostrum process, the combination zone, after which the largest ache of all, chatting with the print media. He put a courageous face on it, after which the bombshell got here.
I’m, personally, a fairly hirsute man. I’ve had a moustache, virtually completely, since I used to be 23 – whereas I am no Magnus Cort, my “beard” is current, even when it is not Simon Geschke ranges.
Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike), the defending champion, is at present making an attempt to develop a moustache, though he has a protracted approach to go: “I don’t have a lot capabilities of rising a moustache, however I’m making an attempt not less than,” the Dane stated of his new-found expertise.
Pogačar, in the meantime, is aware of his limitations. The Giro d’Italia, two-time Tour de France, Tour of Flanders, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège winner is likely to be the most effective bike owner on this planet, relying on the way it’s judged, however he’s unable to make his high lip furry. Poor Tadej.
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“I did not see it, sorry,” he stated of Vingegaard’s facial hair. “I can’t develop a moustache. This yr, I’m shaving way more than final yr. However I am fully clear shaven.”
Pogačar, at 25, is shaving greater than he did final yr, which is kind of one thing. At 25, I might develop a beard, however then I’ve by no means received a WorldTour race. Completely different strokes for various of us.
Away from the facial hair speak, stage 11 to Le Lioran ought to show extra of a problem to Pogačar, Vingegaard and the remainder of the GC contenders. The rolling Massif Central day isn’t the toughest day of the race, however ought to present ample proof of the place the riders are at.
“I really feel actually good going into this second week,” Pogačar stated, for his half. “I actually just like the Pyrenees, I’ve received quite a bit there. I just like the locations there. Then I’m actually trying ahead to the ultimate phases in Good, near my house. This Tour, I have to say, I’m actually pleased, and in addition goes properly up to now.”
As regards to Vingegaard, his nice rival, there was an understanding that the Dane is likely to be getting higher, though Pogačar nonetheless thinks he’s forward of the person who has overwhelmed him within the final two Excursions.
“I’ve a fairly good sense and in addition I see my very own numbers, and up to now… the time trial we went tremendous quick, San Luca [in Bologna] was tremendous quick, Galibier we additionally did a report time,” he stated. “I feel he is in actually fine condition, and for certain he’s getting extra assured for the ultimate half increasingly more. We are going to see within the Pyrenees I feel.”
The extra testing phases wait, however for now, not less than we all know that Tadej Pogačar cannot develop a moustache. I win this one.
