{"id":2039276,"date":"2026-07-11T22:11:38","date_gmt":"2026-07-11T19:11:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2039276"},"modified":"2026-07-11T22:11:38","modified_gmt":"2026-07-11T19:11:38","slug":"tadej-pogacars-dominance-will-open-up-the-race-and-give-us-more-opportunities-luke-plapps-tour-de-france-diary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2039276","title":{"rendered":"Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s dominance will open up the race and give us more opportunities &#8211; Luke Plapp&#8217;s Tour de France diary"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8-2560-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s dominance will open up the race and give us more opportunities &#8211; Luke Plapp&#8217;s Tour de France diary<\/h1>\n<div class=\"kiosq-member-label\" data-component-name=\"Article:Hero:KiosqPaywallLabels\"><span class=\"kiosq-member-label-text\"><br \/>\nMEMBER EXCLUSIVE<br \/>\n<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-center mx-auto max-sm:text-center max-sm:items-center\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nLuke Plapp <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta max-sm:justify-center\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-11T22:11:38Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n11 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">The Australian rider shares his opening week insights, including TTT disappointment, feeling at home in the heat, and why Poga\u010dar&#8217;s early exploits could help him and his Jayco-AlUla teammates<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-center text-center\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Plapp arrives at his second Tour de France eyeing stage wins, and will share his experiences from the race here on Cyclingnews<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-d4707634-7d45-11f1-baea-c7fa96962c0a\">Grand Tours are a bit of a time black hole. Once you start one, any sense of time gets sucked into the black hole. It\u2019s eat, sleep, race, repeat. At this point in the race, I couldn\u2019t tell you what day of the week it is, but I know that we\u2019re almost at the first rest day of the Tour de France. After over a week of hard racing, I\u2019m looking forward to it. It\u2019s a chance to switch off, get some extra sleep, maybe take a coffee ride with the boys, and catch up with my friends and family.<\/p>\n<p>This is my second Tour de France, and it feels a little more like a formality this time around, like any other race. Last season, when I made my debut, there was so much hype and excitement around it, and I didn\u2019t know so much what to expect. It was a lot to take in. Now that I have my first one done, I wouldn\u2019t say I\u2019m a Tour veteran just yet, but I feel like I\u2019ve got the swing of things and can manage the stresses of the race much more easily.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-person-6V96yx8Uoh4K36sZvxqWof-87c1cE7vt2rmFFE8WKrTXW5LPHJ2NDJp\" class=\"slice-container person-wrapper person-6V96yx8Uoh4K36sZvxqWof-87c1cE7vt2rmFFE8WKrTXW5LPHJ2NDJp slice-container-person\">\n<div class=\"person person--separator person--strapline\"><span class=\"person__strapline\">Tour de France diary<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"person__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"person__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VGHzrXUhiLo7VkMACBxvBD-140-80.png.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VGHzrXUhiLo7VkMACBxvBD.png\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VGHzrXUhiLo7VkMACBxvBD.png\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VGHzrXUhiLo7VkMACBxvBD.png\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"person__heading\"><span class=\"person__strapline-inline\">Tour de France diary<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"person__name-socials\"><span class=\"person__name\">Luke Plapp<\/span><\/div>\n<aside class=\"person__role\">Professional road cyclist for Jayco-AlUla<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"person__bio\">\n<p>Luke Plapp is an Australian professional road cyclist, currently riding for Team Jayco-AlUla at the Tour de France. The Melbourne native, who is a three-time Australian national road and time trial champion, will be sharing his experiences from this summer&#8217;s Tour with Cyclingnews.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-5f34cee4-7d48-11f1-98f8-ab35583e24cf-0\">The first week has gone by quickly, and that team time trial on stage 1 already feels like it was a lifetime ago. We\u2019ve already done over 1,000km since Barcelona. Getting to open the race with a team time trial in the Catalan capital was pretty special.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fancy-box\" id=\"elk-f279eb56-7d4a-11f1-8424-a7d3ec4a9d61\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">More Tour de France columns &amp; opinion<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure \">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vqqtZmiJMoZQD2csCZrp5V-2560-80.png.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vqqtZmiJMoZQD2csCZrp5V-1920-80.png.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vqqtZmiJMoZQD2csCZrp5V-1440-80.png.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vqqtZmiJMoZQD2csCZrp5V-1280-80.png.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vqqtZmiJMoZQD2csCZrp5V-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vqqtZmiJMoZQD2csCZrp5V-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vqqtZmiJMoZQD2csCZrp5V-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vqqtZmiJMoZQD2csCZrp5V-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vqqtZmiJMoZQD2csCZrp5V-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vqqtZmiJMoZQD2csCZrp5V-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: SWpix.com\/Zac Williams)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li>Jonas Vingegaard will try, but in reality, no one is likely to upset the Tadej Poga\u010dar show at the Tour de France \u2013 Philippa York analysis<\/li>\n<li>The Tour de France organisers wanted &#8216;suspense to the end&#8217; but the Tourmalet stage design backfired dramatically \u2013 and they should have seen it coming<\/li>\n<li>Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz are putting on a happy face at the Tour de France, but I&#8217;m not really buying it \u2013 is anyone?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-f279ebce-7d4a-11f1-8173-71b217a35837\">I\u2019ve always heard from others that the final stage of the Volta a Catalunya is one of the best race days of the year, so it was amazing to experience it for myself. The crowds lining the roadside were incredible, and my ears were definitely ringing afterwards.<\/p>\n<p>I love the TTT (in my opinion, it\u2019s the best discipline; I won\u2019t hear otherwise), and the team is passionate about it and has always done well in the discipline. We\u2019ve been working on our TTT project for quite some time, so we were pretty pumped for the first stage. We came out to Girona for a small camp a few days before the race to do some TTT prep and dial in our set-ups ahead of the big day.<\/p>\n<p>We don\u2019t have a GC rider for this race, so we didn\u2019t need to play it conservatively on the day, and we were willing to risk it all for a result. Obviously, the stage didn\u2019t quite go as we hoped; we definitely wanted more than 10th place, but I\u2019m proud of the boys and how we all went for it. There will be more opportunities for us during this race, and we\u2019ve already shown in the first week that we\u2019re prepared to take on any chance we can.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-15594eba-7d4a-11f1-9ef4-49e3d3c81666\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/geLz2RxKxDRvKmFhaFStmn-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/geLz2RxKxDRvKmFhaFStmn-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/geLz2RxKxDRvKmFhaFStmn-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/geLz2RxKxDRvKmFhaFStmn-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/geLz2RxKxDRvKmFhaFStmn-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/geLz2RxKxDRvKmFhaFStmn-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/geLz2RxKxDRvKmFhaFStmn-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/geLz2RxKxDRvKmFhaFStmn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/geLz2RxKxDRvKmFhaFStmn-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/geLz2RxKxDRvKmFhaFStmn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Plapp was in the breakaway on stage 3 before Tadej Poga\u010dar ultimately triumphed at the finish in Les Angles <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3 id=\"pogacar-s-dominance-and-thriving-in-the-heat-3\">Poga\u010dar&#8217;s dominance and thriving in the heat<\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-d4707724-7d45-11f1-8abc-c581b6905bb3\">It\u2019s been tough so far for the breakaway with the GC teams like UAE Team Emirates-XRG and Visma-Lease a Bike keeping a tight grip on the race in the opening stages. We saw how they shut down the Tourmalet stage when Ben [O&#8217;Connor] had a go off the front, and that they weren\u2019t going to let anything go. I don\u2019t think that\u2019s a bad thing, though.<\/p>\n<p>Now that Tadej Poga\u010dar and UAE have marked their dominance with such a big lead, I believe it could open the race up for teams like us who want to try and get out in the breakaway. I think it will open the race up a little more as we get into the second week, and particularly the back half of the race, and we\u2019ll see more opportunities coming to us. I\u2019m looking forward to getting stuck in and taking my chances, and so are the rest of our boys.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, the heat is also going to play a factor in how the rest of the race plays out. It\u2019s been hot right from the start, and the high temperatures have been a &#8216;hot&#8217; topic in the bunch during the first week, with staying cool being very important. There\u2019s been plenty of ice socks down the jersey and bidons over the head to keep the core temperature down.<\/p>\n<p>I actually enjoy the heat, though, and I\u2019ve been feeling quite good so far. We get these temperatures during the Australian summer, so maybe we Aussies are more used to it than some. For me, the hotter it is, the better when it comes to recovery compared to others, so I\u2019m happy with this weather, and I hope it can last for a few more days. I\u2019m hoping that if this continues into next week and a few more of the boys get tired, then it could help me. When my opportunity comes, I\u2019ll be ready to go.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Premium Columns<\/p>\n<p>Premium In-Depth Racing<\/p>\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-6V96yx8Uoh4K36sZvxqWof\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-6V96yx8Uoh4K36sZvxqWof slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VGHzrXUhiLo7VkMACBxvBD-140-80.png.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VGHzrXUhiLo7VkMACBxvBD.png\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VGHzrXUhiLo7VkMACBxvBD.png\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VGHzrXUhiLo7VkMACBxvBD.png\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Luke Plapp<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Professional road cyclist for Jayco-AlUla<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Luke Plapp is an Australian professional road cyclist, currently riding for Team Jayco AlUla. The Melbourne native is a three-time Australian national road and time trial champion, with a Giro d&#8217;Italia stage victory also to his name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RX5JFThbpnDMm4BSa75iUT-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RX5JFThbpnDMm4BSa75iUT-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RX5JFThbpnDMm4BSa75iUT-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RX5JFThbpnDMm4BSa75iUT-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RX5JFThbpnDMm4BSa75iUT-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;When we started, I had a full headache&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar lets Tour de France yellow jersey go to the breakaway after uncomfortably hot stage 4<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Tadej keeps on surprising us&#8217; \u2013 The inside view on how UAE Team Emirates-XRG have constructed Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s assault on a fifth Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/J7pPd8GqwGwGxdt9wLao6n-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/J7pPd8GqwGwGxdt9wLao6n-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/J7pPd8GqwGwGxdt9wLao6n-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/J7pPd8GqwGwGxdt9wLao6n-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/J7pPd8GqwGwGxdt9wLao6n-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Why I will always love opportunistic breakaway wins, our special guest in Pisa, and more from my second week at the Giro d&#8217;Italia<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y9pKvrCUtQTYKvGnSVctEU-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y9pKvrCUtQTYKvGnSVctEU-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y9pKvrCUtQTYKvGnSVctEU-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y9pKvrCUtQTYKvGnSVctEU-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y9pKvrCUtQTYKvGnSVctEU-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We will fight for yellow, maybe already tomorrow&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar without disappointment despite defeat by Vingegaard in Tour de France opening stage<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JATQQHZsha48dDDKM5bVXa-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JATQQHZsha48dDDKM5bVXa-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JATQQHZsha48dDDKM5bVXa-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JATQQHZsha48dDDKM5bVXa-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JATQQHZsha48dDDKM5bVXa-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;A free mind equals fast legs&#8217; \u2013 How my mental state helped me wear the yellow jersey for two days at an unforgettable Tour Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;My body temperature is probably cooler than any Tour before&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar stresses importance of UAE&#8217;s hydration and nutrition changes in reaching new level at Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jRFoBaVYmfkfFkPh9gyGcX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jRFoBaVYmfkfFkPh9gyGcX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jRFoBaVYmfkfFkPh9gyGcX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jRFoBaVYmfkfFkPh9gyGcX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jRFoBaVYmfkfFkPh9gyGcX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Crazy good&#8217; &#8211; UAE Team Emirates-XRG&#8217;s perfect mountain strategy puts Tadej Poga\u010dar within reach of fifth Tour de France title<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yDiAPUJpNxsNSkUrNMs8NH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yDiAPUJpNxsNSkUrNMs8NH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yDiAPUJpNxsNSkUrNMs8NH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yDiAPUJpNxsNSkUrNMs8NH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yDiAPUJpNxsNSkUrNMs8NH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The power of pink, the bruised Italians, and the assassin with a conscience \u2013 Philippa York&#8217;s Giro d&#8217;Italia analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The importance of a Tadej Poga\u010dar gift in the race against Vingegaard for Tour de France supremacy \u2013 Barcelona Grand D\u00e9part GC analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/inNJZYW4Cs4N5x8NebRLaV-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/inNJZYW4Cs4N5x8NebRLaV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/inNJZYW4Cs4N5x8NebRLaV-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/inNJZYW4Cs4N5x8NebRLaV-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/inNJZYW4Cs4N5x8NebRLaV-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;A minimum effort for maximum benefits&#8217; \u2013 UAE Team Emirates-XRG manager looks on Jonas Vingegaard&#8217;s ascent of Blockhaus with mix of admiration and frustration<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EEiBvRqXfPGZuQGT3HY7rn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EEiBvRqXfPGZuQGT3HY7rn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EEiBvRqXfPGZuQGT3HY7rn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EEiBvRqXfPGZuQGT3HY7rn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EEiBvRqXfPGZuQGT3HY7rn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I couldn&#8217;t sleep long because I was so excited&#8217; \u2013 Despite flashbacks and an early wake-up, Tadej Poga\u010dar takes complete control of Tour de France on first mountain stage<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NZMd8MsTMqfWMT5kDVHNjk-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NZMd8MsTMqfWMT5kDVHNjk-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NZMd8MsTMqfWMT5kDVHNjk-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NZMd8MsTMqfWMT5kDVHNjk-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NZMd8MsTMqfWMT5kDVHNjk-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Eat food like a robot and just go with the flow&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar says Tour de France frontrunners should already be firing on all cylinders as he scorches into yellow<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Pro Cycling<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K2ohwnwqHVXQD9kF6nrXjd-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K2ohwnwqHVXQD9kF6nrXjd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K2ohwnwqHVXQD9kF6nrXjd-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K2ohwnwqHVXQD9kF6nrXjd-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K2ohwnwqHVXQD9kF6nrXjd-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Not a lot of other things they can do&#8217; \u2013 Tour de France stage winner Merlier welcomes shortening of stage 9 amid extreme heat<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7uw3Gv6VF6kHv82oVzyViK-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7uw3Gv6VF6kHv82oVzyViK-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7uw3Gv6VF6kHv82oVzyViK-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7uw3Gv6VF6kHv82oVzyViK-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7uw3Gv6VF6kHv82oVzyViK-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">S\u00f8ren W\u00e6renskjold slams Biniam Girmay for Tour de France sprint intimidation<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2V967amJnedskdrpB7C2bh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2V967amJnedskdrpB7C2bh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2V967amJnedskdrpB7C2bh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2V967amJnedskdrpB7C2bh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2V967amJnedskdrpB7C2bh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Thanks to the GC contenders for this respect&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar says agreement has been reached by favourites to sit at the back and stay safe on Tour de France sprint finishes<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2HDzWqTXMWF9fp2dy8ieX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2HDzWqTXMWF9fp2dy8ieX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2HDzWqTXMWF9fp2dy8ieX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2HDzWqTXMWF9fp2dy8ieX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2HDzWqTXMWF9fp2dy8ieX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;If I see how I sprinted, it&#8217;s crazy&#8217; &#8211; Biniam Girmay accepts that Tim Merlier is fastest in the Tour de France sprints<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UsKMoYA4wPVEK2fVBMXdqc-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UsKMoYA4wPVEK2fVBMXdqc-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UsKMoYA4wPVEK2fVBMXdqc-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UsKMoYA4wPVEK2fVBMXdqc-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UsKMoYA4wPVEK2fVBMXdqc-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s clear that he hesitated after not winning yesterday&#8217; \u2013 Alpecin say no need for panic yet at Tour de France despite another sprint loss for Jasper Philipsen<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JZ3HnQuY5eNTwnoD5afgne-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JZ3HnQuY5eNTwnoD5afgne-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JZ3HnQuY5eNTwnoD5afgne-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JZ3HnQuY5eNTwnoD5afgne-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JZ3HnQuY5eNTwnoD5afgne-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Not really proud&#8217; \u2013 Tour de France heartache for Liam Slock as attempt to upset the sprinters with 40km solo just falls short on stage 8<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGmapoaRyeG4MvvSLgcM29-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGmapoaRyeG4MvvSLgcM29-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGmapoaRyeG4MvvSLgcM29-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGmapoaRyeG4MvvSLgcM29-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGmapoaRyeG4MvvSLgcM29-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Stage 9 of Tour de France shortened amid &#8216;red alert&#8217; heatwave warning in central France<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kZAAuWxAW3kxEiu5BWRvv8-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kZAAuWxAW3kxEiu5BWRvv8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kZAAuWxAW3kxEiu5BWRvv8-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kZAAuWxAW3kxEiu5BWRvv8-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kZAAuWxAW3kxEiu5BWRvv8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France: Tim Merlier claims back-to-back victories on stage 8 with furious sprint into Bergerac<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">European champion Erica Magnaldi scores latest gravel win with Italian National Championships title<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxeeApsxUPRuoDrj5mN4EH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxeeApsxUPRuoDrj5mN4EH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxeeApsxUPRuoDrj5mN4EH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxeeApsxUPRuoDrj5mN4EH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxeeApsxUPRuoDrj5mN4EH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Baptiste Veistroffer has become the breakaway hero this Tour de France needs<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5GkKMydgjRiJn9AQC2icrg-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5GkKMydgjRiJn9AQC2icrg-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5GkKMydgjRiJn9AQC2icrg-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5GkKMydgjRiJn9AQC2icrg-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5GkKMydgjRiJn9AQC2icrg-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz are putting on a happy face at the Tour de France, but I&#8217;m not really buying it \u2013 is anyone?<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BDymtCYrYBQqaxnTEvQHBJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BDymtCYrYBQqaxnTEvQHBJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BDymtCYrYBQqaxnTEvQHBJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BDymtCYrYBQqaxnTEvQHBJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BDymtCYrYBQqaxnTEvQHBJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;m not used to having to sprint for the win, so that was scary&#8217; \u2013 Risky move pays off for Bjorn Riley with his first UCI Mountain Bike World Cup win<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5GkKMydgjRiJn9AQC2icrg-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5GkKMydgjRiJn9AQC2icrg-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5GkKMydgjRiJn9AQC2icrg-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5GkKMydgjRiJn9AQC2icrg-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5GkKMydgjRiJn9AQC2icrg-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz are putting on a happy face at the Tour de France, but I&#8217;m not really buying it \u2013 is anyone?<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rxVp4RQLFudUum3wynmQHe-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rxVp4RQLFudUum3wynmQHe-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rxVp4RQLFudUum3wynmQHe-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rxVp4RQLFudUum3wynmQHe-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rxVp4RQLFudUum3wynmQHe-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The Tour de France organisers wanted &#8216;suspense to the end&#8217; but the Tourmalet stage design backfired dramatically \u2013 and they should have seen it coming<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ox6Nz652vgLwdc6xakac8U-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ox6Nz652vgLwdc6xakac8U-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ox6Nz652vgLwdc6xakac8U-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ox6Nz652vgLwdc6xakac8U-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ox6Nz652vgLwdc6xakac8U-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Culture<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tech randoms from the Tour de France \u2013 Techy, silly and curious finds from the biggest race in the world<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZiomMXhFDRZ2voo7MYAiLF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZiomMXhFDRZ2voo7MYAiLF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZiomMXhFDRZ2voo7MYAiLF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZiomMXhFDRZ2voo7MYAiLF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZiomMXhFDRZ2voo7MYAiLF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Culture<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">10 luxury watches of the Tour de France: The best timepieces we&#8217;ve seen from cycling&#8217;s biggest race<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M9cFvDC2BBq8LxxNTiKAX8-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M9cFvDC2BBq8LxxNTiKAX8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M9cFvDC2BBq8LxxNTiKAX8-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M9cFvDC2BBq8LxxNTiKAX8-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M9cFvDC2BBq8LxxNTiKAX8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Sprints underrated, mountains overrated? We just had a huge debate about which Tour de France stages are more exciting, and want to know your thoughts<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hh4P2ZsrXtmWxqibv8WiZE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hh4P2ZsrXtmWxqibv8WiZE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hh4P2ZsrXtmWxqibv8WiZE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hh4P2ZsrXtmWxqibv8WiZE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hh4P2ZsrXtmWxqibv8WiZE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Will Tadej Poga\u010dar beat Mark Cavendish&#8217;s Tour de France stage wins record? Crunching the numbers<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tXsmsAnHdauKb3txzVbWVF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tXsmsAnHdauKb3txzVbWVF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tXsmsAnHdauKb3txzVbWVF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tXsmsAnHdauKb3txzVbWVF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tXsmsAnHdauKb3txzVbWVF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Road Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Early access: Cyclingnews subscribers get first eyes on our Cannondale SuperSix Evo video review<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kogAv54QjVoZVzHbqYaWoQ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kogAv54QjVoZVzHbqYaWoQ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kogAv54QjVoZVzHbqYaWoQ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kogAv54QjVoZVzHbqYaWoQ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kogAv54QjVoZVzHbqYaWoQ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Uncharted terrain&#8217; builds on the legend of Alpe d&#8217;Huez at this year&#8217;s Tour de France &#8211; A retrospect of two sides to one mountain<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HzJ4jk9jTLVFUyhHDozwwY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HzJ4jk9jTLVFUyhHDozwwY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HzJ4jk9jTLVFUyhHDozwwY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HzJ4jk9jTLVFUyhHDozwwY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HzJ4jk9jTLVFUyhHDozwwY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Tech &amp; Components<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">How do riders stay cool at the Tour de France? Alcohol sprays and frozen carbs are just the tip of the iceberg<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WRh7H5dmDKtHb94oKUrqNM-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WRh7H5dmDKtHb94oKUrqNM-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WRh7H5dmDKtHb94oKUrqNM-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WRh7H5dmDKtHb94oKUrqNM-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WRh7H5dmDKtHb94oKUrqNM-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Race bikes head-to-head: Poga\u010dar&#8217;s Colnago Y1RS vs Vingegaard&#8217;s Cerv\u00e9lo S5 &#8211; Which setup will prove fastest?<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The importance of a Tadej Poga\u010dar gift in the race against Vingegaard for Tour de France supremacy \u2013 Barcelona Grand D\u00e9part GC analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/G6zKNzHrkrtuTRCpkixn8T-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/G6zKNzHrkrtuTRCpkixn8T-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/G6zKNzHrkrtuTRCpkixn8T-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/G6zKNzHrkrtuTRCpkixn8T-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/G6zKNzHrkrtuTRCpkixn8T-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Tech &amp; Components<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Cooling hacks, prototype bikes and new TT groupset parts: Tour de France TTT tech gallery<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s dominance will open up the race and give us more opportunities &#8211; Luke Plapp&#8217;s Tour de France diary<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;Not a lot of other things they can do&#8217; \u2013 Tour de France stage winner Merlier welcomes shortening of stage 9 amid extreme heat<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">S\u00f8ren W\u00e6renskjold slams Biniam Girmay for Tour de France sprint intimidation<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;Thanks to the GC contenders for this respect&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar says agreement has been reached by favourites to sit at the back and stay safe on Tour de France sprint finishes<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;If I see how I sprinted, it&#8217;s crazy&#8217; &#8211; Biniam Girmay accepts that Tim Merlier is fastest in the Tour de France sprints<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s dominance will open up the race and give us more opportunities &#8211; Luke Plapp&#8217;s Tour de France diary<\/h1>\n<div class=\"kiosq-member-label\" data-component-name=\"Article:Hero:KiosqPaywallLabels\"><span class=\"kiosq-member-label-text\"><br \/>\nMEMBER EXCLUSIVE<br \/>\n<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-center mx-auto max-sm:text-center max-sm:items-center\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nLuke Plapp <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta max-sm:justify-center\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-11T22:11:38Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n11 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">The Australian rider shares his opening week insights, including TTT disappointment, feeling at home in the heat, and why Poga\u010dar&#8217;s early exploits could help him and his Jayco-AlUla teammates<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-center text-center\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Plapp arrives at his second Tour de France eyeing stage wins, and will share his experiences from the race here on Cyclingnews<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-d4707634-7d45-11f1-baea-c7fa96962c0a\">Grand Tours are a bit of a time black hole. Once you start one, any sense of time gets sucked into the black hole. It\u2019s eat, sleep, race, repeat. At this point in the race, I couldn\u2019t tell you what day of the week it is, but I know that we\u2019re almost at the first rest day of the Tour de France. After over a week of hard racing, I\u2019m looking forward to it. It\u2019s a chance to switch off, get some extra sleep, maybe take a coffee ride with the boys, and catch up with my friends and family.<\/p>\n<p>This is my second Tour de France, and it feels a little more like a formality this time around, like any other race. Last season, when I made my debut, there was so much hype and excitement around it, and I didn\u2019t know so much what to expect. It was a lot to take in. Now that I have my first one done, I wouldn\u2019t say I\u2019m a Tour veteran just yet, but I feel like I\u2019ve got the swing of things and can manage the stresses of the race much more easily.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-person-6V96yx8Uoh4K36sZvxqWof-87c1cE7vt2rmFFE8WKrTXW5LPHJ2NDJp\" class=\"slice-container person-wrapper person-6V96yx8Uoh4K36sZvxqWof-87c1cE7vt2rmFFE8WKrTXW5LPHJ2NDJp slice-container-person\">\n<div class=\"person person--separator person--strapline\"><span class=\"person__strapline\">Tour de France diary<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"person__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"person__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VGHzrXUhiLo7VkMACBxvBD-140-80.png.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VGHzrXUhiLo7VkMACBxvBD.png\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VGHzrXUhiLo7VkMACBxvBD.png\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VGHzrXUhiLo7VkMACBxvBD.png\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"person__heading\"><span class=\"person__strapline-inline\">Tour de France diary<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"person__name-socials\"><span class=\"person__name\">Luke Plapp<\/span><\/div>\n<aside class=\"person__role\">Professional road cyclist for Jayco-AlUla<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"person__bio\">\n<p>Luke Plapp is an Australian professional road cyclist, currently riding for Team Jayco-AlUla at the Tour de France. The Melbourne native, who is a three-time Australian national road and time trial champion, will be sharing his experiences from this summer&#8217;s Tour with Cyclingnews.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-5f34cee4-7d48-11f1-98f8-ab35583e24cf-0\">The first week has gone by quickly, and that team time trial on stage 1 already feels like it was a lifetime ago. We\u2019ve already done over 1,000km since Barcelona. Getting to open the race with a team time trial in the Catalan capital was pretty special.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fancy-box\" id=\"elk-f279eb56-7d4a-11f1-8424-a7d3ec4a9d61\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">More Tour de France columns &amp; opinion<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure \">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vqqtZmiJMoZQD2csCZrp5V-2560-80.png.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vqqtZmiJMoZQD2csCZrp5V-1920-80.png.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vqqtZmiJMoZQD2csCZrp5V-1440-80.png.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vqqtZmiJMoZQD2csCZrp5V-1280-80.png.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vqqtZmiJMoZQD2csCZrp5V-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vqqtZmiJMoZQD2csCZrp5V-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vqqtZmiJMoZQD2csCZrp5V-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vqqtZmiJMoZQD2csCZrp5V-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vqqtZmiJMoZQD2csCZrp5V-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vqqtZmiJMoZQD2csCZrp5V-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: SWpix.com\/Zac Williams)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li>Jonas Vingegaard will try, but in reality, no one is likely to upset the Tadej Poga\u010dar show at the Tour de France \u2013 Philippa York analysis<\/li>\n<li>The Tour de France organisers wanted &#8216;suspense to the end&#8217; but the Tourmalet stage design backfired dramatically \u2013 and they should have seen it coming<\/li>\n<li>Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz are putting on a happy face at the Tour de France, but I&#8217;m not really buying it \u2013 is anyone?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-f279ebce-7d4a-11f1-8173-71b217a35837\">I\u2019ve always heard from others that the final stage of the Volta a Catalunya is one of the best race days of the year, so it was amazing to experience it for myself. The crowds lining the roadside were incredible, and my ears were definitely ringing afterwards.<\/p>\n<p>I love the TTT (in my opinion, it\u2019s the best discipline; I won\u2019t hear otherwise), and the team is passionate about it and has always done well in the discipline. We\u2019ve been working on our TTT project for quite some time, so we were pretty pumped for the first stage. We came out to Girona for a small camp a few days before the race to do some TTT prep and dial in our set-ups ahead of the big day.<\/p>\n<p>We don\u2019t have a GC rider for this race, so we didn\u2019t need to play it conservatively on the day, and we were willing to risk it all for a result. Obviously, the stage didn\u2019t quite go as we hoped; we definitely wanted more than 10th place, but I\u2019m proud of the boys and how we all went for it. There will be more opportunities for us during this race, and we\u2019ve already shown in the first week that we\u2019re prepared to take on any chance we can.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-15594eba-7d4a-11f1-9ef4-49e3d3c81666\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/geLz2RxKxDRvKmFhaFStmn-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/geLz2RxKxDRvKmFhaFStmn-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/geLz2RxKxDRvKmFhaFStmn-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/geLz2RxKxDRvKmFhaFStmn-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/geLz2RxKxDRvKmFhaFStmn-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/geLz2RxKxDRvKmFhaFStmn-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/geLz2RxKxDRvKmFhaFStmn-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/geLz2RxKxDRvKmFhaFStmn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/geLz2RxKxDRvKmFhaFStmn-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/geLz2RxKxDRvKmFhaFStmn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Plapp was in the breakaway on stage 3 before Tadej Poga\u010dar ultimately triumphed at the finish in Les Angles <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3 id=\"pogacar-s-dominance-and-thriving-in-the-heat-3\">Poga\u010dar&#8217;s dominance and thriving in the heat<\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-d4707724-7d45-11f1-8abc-c581b6905bb3\">It\u2019s been tough so far for the breakaway with the GC teams like UAE Team Emirates-XRG and Visma-Lease a Bike keeping a tight grip on the race in the opening stages. We saw how they shut down the Tourmalet stage when Ben [O&#8217;Connor] had a go off the front, and that they weren\u2019t going to let anything go. I don\u2019t think that\u2019s a bad thing, though.<\/p>\n<p>Now that Tadej Poga\u010dar and UAE have marked their dominance with such a big lead, I believe it could open the race up for teams like us who want to try and get out in the breakaway. I think it will open the race up a little more as we get into the second week, and particularly the back half of the race, and we\u2019ll see more opportunities coming to us. I\u2019m looking forward to getting stuck in and taking my chances, and so are the rest of our boys.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, the heat is also going to play a factor in how the rest of the race plays out. It\u2019s been hot right from the start, and the high temperatures have been a &#8216;hot&#8217; topic in the bunch during the first week, with staying cool being very important. There\u2019s been plenty of ice socks down the jersey and bidons over the head to keep the core temperature down.<\/p>\n<p>I actually enjoy the heat, though, and I\u2019ve been feeling quite good so far. We get these temperatures during the Australian summer, so maybe we Aussies are more used to it than some. For me, the hotter it is, the better when it comes to recovery compared to others, so I\u2019m happy with this weather, and I hope it can last for a few more days. I\u2019m hoping that if this continues into next week and a few more of the boys get tired, then it could help me. When my opportunity comes, I\u2019ll be ready to go.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Premium Columns<\/p>\n<p>Premium In-Depth Racing<\/p>\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-6V96yx8Uoh4K36sZvxqWof\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-6V96yx8Uoh4K36sZvxqWof slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VGHzrXUhiLo7VkMACBxvBD-140-80.png.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VGHzrXUhiLo7VkMACBxvBD.png\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VGHzrXUhiLo7VkMACBxvBD.png\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VGHzrXUhiLo7VkMACBxvBD.png\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Luke Plapp<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Professional road cyclist for Jayco-AlUla<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Luke Plapp is an Australian professional road cyclist, currently riding for Team Jayco AlUla. The Melbourne native is a three-time Australian national road and time trial champion, with a Giro d&#8217;Italia stage victory also to his name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RX5JFThbpnDMm4BSa75iUT-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RX5JFThbpnDMm4BSa75iUT-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RX5JFThbpnDMm4BSa75iUT-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RX5JFThbpnDMm4BSa75iUT-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RX5JFThbpnDMm4BSa75iUT-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;When we started, I had a full headache&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar lets Tour de France yellow jersey go to the breakaway after uncomfortably hot stage 4<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Tadej keeps on surprising us&#8217; \u2013 The inside view on how UAE Team Emirates-XRG have constructed Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s assault on a fifth Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/J7pPd8GqwGwGxdt9wLao6n-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/J7pPd8GqwGwGxdt9wLao6n-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/J7pPd8GqwGwGxdt9wLao6n-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/J7pPd8GqwGwGxdt9wLao6n-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/J7pPd8GqwGwGxdt9wLao6n-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Why I will always love opportunistic breakaway wins, our special guest in Pisa, and more from my second week at the Giro d&#8217;Italia<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y9pKvrCUtQTYKvGnSVctEU-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y9pKvrCUtQTYKvGnSVctEU-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y9pKvrCUtQTYKvGnSVctEU-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y9pKvrCUtQTYKvGnSVctEU-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Y9pKvrCUtQTYKvGnSVctEU-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We will fight for yellow, maybe already tomorrow&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar without disappointment despite defeat by Vingegaard in Tour de France opening stage<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JATQQHZsha48dDDKM5bVXa-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JATQQHZsha48dDDKM5bVXa-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JATQQHZsha48dDDKM5bVXa-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JATQQHZsha48dDDKM5bVXa-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JATQQHZsha48dDDKM5bVXa-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;A free mind equals fast legs&#8217; \u2013 How my mental state helped me wear the yellow jersey for two days at an unforgettable Tour Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K5zoEPprDoj4hnt8AEnmTE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;My body temperature is probably cooler than any Tour before&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar stresses importance of UAE&#8217;s hydration and nutrition changes in reaching new level at Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jRFoBaVYmfkfFkPh9gyGcX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jRFoBaVYmfkfFkPh9gyGcX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jRFoBaVYmfkfFkPh9gyGcX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jRFoBaVYmfkfFkPh9gyGcX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jRFoBaVYmfkfFkPh9gyGcX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Crazy good&#8217; &#8211; UAE Team Emirates-XRG&#8217;s perfect mountain strategy puts Tadej Poga\u010dar within reach of fifth Tour de France title<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yDiAPUJpNxsNSkUrNMs8NH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yDiAPUJpNxsNSkUrNMs8NH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yDiAPUJpNxsNSkUrNMs8NH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yDiAPUJpNxsNSkUrNMs8NH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yDiAPUJpNxsNSkUrNMs8NH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The power of pink, the bruised Italians, and the assassin with a conscience \u2013 Philippa York&#8217;s Giro d&#8217;Italia analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The importance of a Tadej Poga\u010dar gift in the race against Vingegaard for Tour de France supremacy \u2013 Barcelona Grand D\u00e9part GC analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/inNJZYW4Cs4N5x8NebRLaV-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/inNJZYW4Cs4N5x8NebRLaV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/inNJZYW4Cs4N5x8NebRLaV-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/inNJZYW4Cs4N5x8NebRLaV-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/inNJZYW4Cs4N5x8NebRLaV-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;A minimum effort for maximum benefits&#8217; \u2013 UAE Team Emirates-XRG manager looks on Jonas Vingegaard&#8217;s ascent of Blockhaus with mix of admiration and frustration<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EEiBvRqXfPGZuQGT3HY7rn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EEiBvRqXfPGZuQGT3HY7rn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EEiBvRqXfPGZuQGT3HY7rn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EEiBvRqXfPGZuQGT3HY7rn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EEiBvRqXfPGZuQGT3HY7rn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I couldn&#8217;t sleep long because I was so excited&#8217; \u2013 Despite flashbacks and an early wake-up, Tadej Poga\u010dar takes complete control of Tour de France on first mountain stage<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NZMd8MsTMqfWMT5kDVHNjk-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NZMd8MsTMqfWMT5kDVHNjk-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NZMd8MsTMqfWMT5kDVHNjk-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NZMd8MsTMqfWMT5kDVHNjk-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NZMd8MsTMqfWMT5kDVHNjk-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Eat food like a robot and just go with the flow&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar says Tour de France frontrunners should already be firing on all cylinders as he scorches into yellow<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Pro Cycling<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K2ohwnwqHVXQD9kF6nrXjd-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K2ohwnwqHVXQD9kF6nrXjd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K2ohwnwqHVXQD9kF6nrXjd-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K2ohwnwqHVXQD9kF6nrXjd-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/K2ohwnwqHVXQD9kF6nrXjd-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Not a lot of other things they can do&#8217; \u2013 Tour de France stage winner Merlier welcomes shortening of stage 9 amid extreme heat<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7uw3Gv6VF6kHv82oVzyViK-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7uw3Gv6VF6kHv82oVzyViK-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7uw3Gv6VF6kHv82oVzyViK-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7uw3Gv6VF6kHv82oVzyViK-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7uw3Gv6VF6kHv82oVzyViK-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">S\u00f8ren W\u00e6renskjold slams Biniam Girmay for Tour de France sprint intimidation<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2V967amJnedskdrpB7C2bh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2V967amJnedskdrpB7C2bh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2V967amJnedskdrpB7C2bh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2V967amJnedskdrpB7C2bh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2V967amJnedskdrpB7C2bh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Thanks to the GC contenders for this respect&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar says agreement has been reached by favourites to sit at the back and stay safe on Tour de France sprint finishes<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2HDzWqTXMWF9fp2dy8ieX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2HDzWqTXMWF9fp2dy8ieX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2HDzWqTXMWF9fp2dy8ieX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2HDzWqTXMWF9fp2dy8ieX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2HDzWqTXMWF9fp2dy8ieX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;If I see how I sprinted, it&#8217;s crazy&#8217; &#8211; Biniam Girmay accepts that Tim Merlier is fastest in the Tour de France sprints<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UsKMoYA4wPVEK2fVBMXdqc-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UsKMoYA4wPVEK2fVBMXdqc-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UsKMoYA4wPVEK2fVBMXdqc-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UsKMoYA4wPVEK2fVBMXdqc-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UsKMoYA4wPVEK2fVBMXdqc-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s clear that he hesitated after not winning yesterday&#8217; \u2013 Alpecin say no need for panic yet at Tour de France despite another sprint loss for Jasper Philipsen<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JZ3HnQuY5eNTwnoD5afgne-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JZ3HnQuY5eNTwnoD5afgne-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JZ3HnQuY5eNTwnoD5afgne-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JZ3HnQuY5eNTwnoD5afgne-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JZ3HnQuY5eNTwnoD5afgne-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Not really proud&#8217; \u2013 Tour de France heartache for Liam Slock as attempt to upset the sprinters with 40km solo just falls short on stage 8<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGmapoaRyeG4MvvSLgcM29-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGmapoaRyeG4MvvSLgcM29-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGmapoaRyeG4MvvSLgcM29-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGmapoaRyeG4MvvSLgcM29-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QGmapoaRyeG4MvvSLgcM29-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Stage 9 of Tour de France shortened amid &#8216;red alert&#8217; heatwave warning in central France<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kZAAuWxAW3kxEiu5BWRvv8-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kZAAuWxAW3kxEiu5BWRvv8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kZAAuWxAW3kxEiu5BWRvv8-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kZAAuWxAW3kxEiu5BWRvv8-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kZAAuWxAW3kxEiu5BWRvv8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France: Tim Merlier claims back-to-back victories on stage 8 with furious sprint into Bergerac<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V3v4sFXid22hH2BLxyKTHW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">European champion Erica Magnaldi scores latest gravel win with Italian National Championships title<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxeeApsxUPRuoDrj5mN4EH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxeeApsxUPRuoDrj5mN4EH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxeeApsxUPRuoDrj5mN4EH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxeeApsxUPRuoDrj5mN4EH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GxeeApsxUPRuoDrj5mN4EH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Baptiste Veistroffer has become the breakaway hero this Tour de France needs<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5GkKMydgjRiJn9AQC2icrg-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5GkKMydgjRiJn9AQC2icrg-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5GkKMydgjRiJn9AQC2icrg-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5GkKMydgjRiJn9AQC2icrg-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5GkKMydgjRiJn9AQC2icrg-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz are putting on a happy face at the Tour de France, but I&#8217;m not really buying it \u2013 is anyone?<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BDymtCYrYBQqaxnTEvQHBJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BDymtCYrYBQqaxnTEvQHBJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BDymtCYrYBQqaxnTEvQHBJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BDymtCYrYBQqaxnTEvQHBJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BDymtCYrYBQqaxnTEvQHBJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;m not used to having to sprint for the win, so that was scary&#8217; \u2013 Risky move pays off for Bjorn Riley with his first UCI Mountain Bike World Cup win<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5GkKMydgjRiJn9AQC2icrg-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5GkKMydgjRiJn9AQC2icrg-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5GkKMydgjRiJn9AQC2icrg-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5GkKMydgjRiJn9AQC2icrg-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5GkKMydgjRiJn9AQC2icrg-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz are putting on a happy face at the Tour de France, but I&#8217;m not really buying it \u2013 is anyone?<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rxVp4RQLFudUum3wynmQHe-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rxVp4RQLFudUum3wynmQHe-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rxVp4RQLFudUum3wynmQHe-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rxVp4RQLFudUum3wynmQHe-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rxVp4RQLFudUum3wynmQHe-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The Tour de France organisers wanted &#8216;suspense to the end&#8217; but the Tourmalet stage design backfired dramatically \u2013 and they should have seen it coming<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ox6Nz652vgLwdc6xakac8U-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ox6Nz652vgLwdc6xakac8U-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ox6Nz652vgLwdc6xakac8U-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ox6Nz652vgLwdc6xakac8U-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ox6Nz652vgLwdc6xakac8U-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Culture<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tech randoms from the Tour de France \u2013 Techy, silly and curious finds from the biggest race in the world<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZiomMXhFDRZ2voo7MYAiLF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZiomMXhFDRZ2voo7MYAiLF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZiomMXhFDRZ2voo7MYAiLF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZiomMXhFDRZ2voo7MYAiLF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZiomMXhFDRZ2voo7MYAiLF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Culture<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">10 luxury watches of the Tour de France: The best timepieces we&#8217;ve seen from cycling&#8217;s biggest race<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M9cFvDC2BBq8LxxNTiKAX8-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M9cFvDC2BBq8LxxNTiKAX8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M9cFvDC2BBq8LxxNTiKAX8-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M9cFvDC2BBq8LxxNTiKAX8-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M9cFvDC2BBq8LxxNTiKAX8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Sprints underrated, mountains overrated? We just had a huge debate about which Tour de France stages are more exciting, and want to know your thoughts<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hh4P2ZsrXtmWxqibv8WiZE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hh4P2ZsrXtmWxqibv8WiZE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hh4P2ZsrXtmWxqibv8WiZE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hh4P2ZsrXtmWxqibv8WiZE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hh4P2ZsrXtmWxqibv8WiZE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Will Tadej Poga\u010dar beat Mark Cavendish&#8217;s Tour de France stage wins record? Crunching the numbers<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tXsmsAnHdauKb3txzVbWVF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tXsmsAnHdauKb3txzVbWVF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tXsmsAnHdauKb3txzVbWVF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tXsmsAnHdauKb3txzVbWVF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tXsmsAnHdauKb3txzVbWVF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Road Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Early access: Cyclingnews subscribers get first eyes on our Cannondale SuperSix Evo video review<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kogAv54QjVoZVzHbqYaWoQ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kogAv54QjVoZVzHbqYaWoQ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kogAv54QjVoZVzHbqYaWoQ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kogAv54QjVoZVzHbqYaWoQ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kogAv54QjVoZVzHbqYaWoQ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Uncharted terrain&#8217; builds on the legend of Alpe d&#8217;Huez at this year&#8217;s Tour de France &#8211; A retrospect of two sides to one mountain<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HzJ4jk9jTLVFUyhHDozwwY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HzJ4jk9jTLVFUyhHDozwwY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HzJ4jk9jTLVFUyhHDozwwY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HzJ4jk9jTLVFUyhHDozwwY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HzJ4jk9jTLVFUyhHDozwwY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Tech &amp; Components<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">How do riders stay cool at the Tour de France? Alcohol sprays and frozen carbs are just the tip of the iceberg<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WRh7H5dmDKtHb94oKUrqNM-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WRh7H5dmDKtHb94oKUrqNM-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WRh7H5dmDKtHb94oKUrqNM-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WRh7H5dmDKtHb94oKUrqNM-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WRh7H5dmDKtHb94oKUrqNM-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Race bikes head-to-head: Poga\u010dar&#8217;s Colnago Y1RS vs Vingegaard&#8217;s Cerv\u00e9lo S5 &#8211; Which setup will prove fastest?<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The importance of a Tadej Poga\u010dar gift in the race against Vingegaard for Tour de France supremacy \u2013 Barcelona Grand D\u00e9part GC analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/G6zKNzHrkrtuTRCpkixn8T-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/G6zKNzHrkrtuTRCpkixn8T-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/G6zKNzHrkrtuTRCpkixn8T-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/G6zKNzHrkrtuTRCpkixn8T-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/G6zKNzHrkrtuTRCpkixn8T-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Tech &amp; Components<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Cooling hacks, prototype bikes and new TT groupset parts: Tour de France TTT tech gallery<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s dominance will open up the race and give us more opportunities &#8211; Luke Plapp&#8217;s Tour de France diary<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;Not a lot of other things they can do&#8217; \u2013 Tour de France stage winner Merlier welcomes shortening of stage 9 amid extreme heat<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">S\u00f8ren W\u00e6renskjold slams Biniam Girmay for Tour de France sprint intimidation<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;Thanks to the GC contenders for this respect&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar says agreement has been reached by favourites to sit at the back and stay safe on Tour de France sprint finishes<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;If I see how I sprinted, it&#8217;s crazy&#8217; &#8211; Biniam Girmay accepts that Tim Merlier is fastest in the Tour de France sprints<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s dominance will open up the race and give us more opportunities &#8211; Luke Plapp&#8217;s Tour de France diary<\/h1>\n<div class=\"kiosq-member-label\" data-component-name=\"Article:Hero:KiosqPaywallLabels\"><span class=\"kiosq-member-label-text\"><br \/>\nMEMBER EXCLUSIVE<br \/>\n<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-center mx-auto max-sm:text-center max-sm:items-center\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nLuke Plapp <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta max-sm:justify-center\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-11T22:11:38Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n11 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">The Australian rider shares his opening week insights, including TTT disappointment, feeling at home in the heat, and why Poga\u010dar&#8217;s early exploits could help him and his Jayco-AlUla teammates<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-center text-center\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-d4707634-7d45-11f1-baea-c7fa96962c0a\">Grand Tours are a bit of a time black hole. Once you start one, any sense of time gets sucked into the black hole. It\u2019s eat, sleep, race, repeat. At this point in the race, I couldn\u2019t tell you what day of the week it is, but I know that we\u2019re almost at the first rest day of the Tour de France. After over a week of hard racing, I\u2019m looking forward to it. It\u2019s a chance to switch off, get some extra sleep, maybe take a coffee ride with the boys, and catch up with my friends and family.<\/p>\n<p>This is my second Tour de France, and it feels a little more like a formality this time around, like any other race. Last season, when I made my debut, there was so much hype and excitement around it, and I didn\u2019t know so much what to expect. It was a lot to take in. Now that I have my first one done, I wouldn\u2019t say I\u2019m a Tour veteran just yet, but I feel like I\u2019ve got the swing of things and can manage the stresses of the race much more easily.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-person-6V96yx8Uoh4K36sZvxqWof-87c1cE7vt2rmFFE8WKrTXW5LPHJ2NDJp\" class=\"slice-container person-wrapper person-6V96yx8Uoh4K36sZvxqWof-87c1cE7vt2rmFFE8WKrTXW5LPHJ2NDJp slice-container-person\">\n<div class=\"person person--separator person--strapline\"><span class=\"person__strapline\">Tour de France diary<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"person__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"person__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VGHzrXUhiLo7VkMACBxvBD-140-80.png.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VGHzrXUhiLo7VkMACBxvBD.png\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VGHzrXUhiLo7VkMACBxvBD.png\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VGHzrXUhiLo7VkMACBxvBD.png\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"person__heading\"><span class=\"person__strapline-inline\">Tour de France diary<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"person__name-socials\"><span class=\"person__name\">Luke Plapp<\/span><\/div>\n<aside class=\"person__role\">Professional road cyclist for Jayco-AlUla<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"person__bio\">\n<p>Luke Plapp is an Australian professional road cyclist, currently riding for Team Jayco-AlUla at the Tour de France. The Melbourne native, who is a three-time Australian national road and time trial champion, will be sharing his experiences from this summer&#8217;s Tour with Cyclingnews.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-5f34cee4-7d48-11f1-98f8-ab35583e24cf-0\">The first week has gone by quickly, and that team time trial on stage 1 already feels like it was a lifetime ago. We\u2019ve already done over 1,000km since Barcelona. Getting to open the race with a team time trial in the Catalan capital was pretty special.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fancy-box\" id=\"elk-f279eb56-7d4a-11f1-8424-a7d3ec4a9d61\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">More Tour de France columns &amp; opinion<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure \">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vqqtZmiJMoZQD2csCZrp5V-2560-80.png.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vqqtZmiJMoZQD2csCZrp5V-1920-80.png.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vqqtZmiJMoZQD2csCZrp5V-1440-80.png.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vqqtZmiJMoZQD2csCZrp5V-1280-80.png.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vqqtZmiJMoZQD2csCZrp5V-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vqqtZmiJMoZQD2csCZrp5V-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vqqtZmiJMoZQD2csCZrp5V-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vqqtZmiJMoZQD2csCZrp5V-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vqqtZmiJMoZQD2csCZrp5V-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vqqtZmiJMoZQD2csCZrp5V-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: SWpix.com\/Zac Williams)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li>Jonas Vingegaard will try, but in reality, no one is likely to upset the Tadej Poga\u010dar show at the Tour de France \u2013 Philippa York analysis<\/li>\n<li>The Tour de France organisers wanted &#8216;suspense to the end&#8217; but the Tourmalet stage design backfired dramatically \u2013 and they should have seen it coming<\/li>\n<li>Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz are putting on a happy face at the Tour de France, but I&#8217;m not really buying it \u2013 is anyone?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-f279ebce-7d4a-11f1-8173-71b217a35837\">I\u2019ve always heard from others that the final stage of the Volta a Catalunya is one of the best race days of the year, so it was amazing to experience it for myself. The crowds lining the roadside were incredible, and my ears were definitely ringing afterwards.<\/p>\n<p>I love the TTT (in my opinion, it\u2019s the best discipline; I won\u2019t hear otherwise), and the team is passionate about it and has always done well in the discipline. We\u2019ve been working on our TTT project for quite some time, so we were pretty pumped for the first stage. We came out to Girona for a small camp a few days before the race to do some TTT prep and dial in our set-ups ahead of the big day.<\/p>\n<p>We don\u2019t have a GC rider for this race, so we didn\u2019t need to play it conservatively on the day, and we were willing to risk it all for a result. Obviously, the stage didn\u2019t quite go as we hoped; we definitely wanted more than 10th place, but I\u2019m proud of the boys and how we all went for it. There will be more opportunities for us during this race, and we\u2019ve already shown in the first week that we\u2019re prepared to take on any chance we can.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-15594eba-7d4a-11f1-9ef4-49e3d3c81666\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/geLz2RxKxDRvKmFhaFStmn-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/geLz2RxKxDRvKmFhaFStmn-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/geLz2RxKxDRvKmFhaFStmn-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/geLz2RxKxDRvKmFhaFStmn-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/geLz2RxKxDRvKmFhaFStmn-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/geLz2RxKxDRvKmFhaFStmn-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/geLz2RxKxDRvKmFhaFStmn-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/geLz2RxKxDRvKmFhaFStmn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/geLz2RxKxDRvKmFhaFStmn-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/geLz2RxKxDRvKmFhaFStmn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Plapp was in the breakaway on stage 3 before Tadej Poga\u010dar ultimately triumphed at the finish in Les Angles <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3 id=\"pogacar-s-dominance-and-thriving-in-the-heat-3\">Poga\u010dar&#8217;s dominance and thriving in the heat<\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-d4707724-7d45-11f1-8abc-c581b6905bb3\">It\u2019s been tough so far for the breakaway with the GC teams like UAE Team Emirates-XRG and Visma-Lease a Bike keeping a tight grip on the race in the opening stages. We saw how they shut down the Tourmalet stage when Ben [O&#8217;Connor] had a go off the front, and that they weren\u2019t going to let anything go. I don\u2019t think that\u2019s a bad thing, though.<\/p>\n<p>Now that Tadej Poga\u010dar and UAE have marked their dominance with such a big lead, I believe it could open the race up for teams like us who want to try and get out in the breakaway. I think it will open the race up a little more as we get into the second week, and particularly the back half of the race, and we\u2019ll see more opportunities coming to us. I\u2019m looking forward to getting stuck in and taking my chances, and so are the rest of our boys.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, the heat is also going to play a factor in how the rest of the race plays out. It\u2019s been hot right from the start, and the high temperatures have been a &#8216;hot&#8217; topic in the bunch during the first week, with staying cool being very important. There\u2019s been plenty of ice socks down the jersey and bidons over the head to keep the core temperature down.<\/p>\n<p>I actually enjoy the heat, though, and I\u2019ve been feeling quite good so far. We get these temperatures during the Australian summer, so maybe we Aussies are more used to it than some. For me, the hotter it is, the better when it comes to recovery compared to others, so I\u2019m happy with this weather, and I hope it can last for a few more days. I\u2019m hoping that if this continues into next week and a few more of the boys get tired, then it could help me. When my opportunity comes, I\u2019ll be ready to go.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/tadej-pogacars-dominance-will-open-up-the-race-and-give-us-more-opportunities-luke-plapps-tour-de-france-diary\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8TM54QzR6tQMrb9EFhjRa8-2560-80.jpg&#8221;] Pro Cycling Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s dominance will open up the race and give us more opportunities &#8211; Luke Plapp&#8217;s Tour de France diary MEMBER EXCLUSIVE Features By Luke Plapp Published 11 July 2026 The Australian rider shares his opening week insights, including TTT disappointment, feeling at home in the heat, and why Poga\u010dar&#8217;s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-2039276","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2039276","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2039276"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2039276\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2039276"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2039276"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2039276"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}