{"id":2040611,"date":"2026-07-13T10:39:23","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T07:39:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2040611"},"modified":"2026-07-13T10:39:23","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T07:39:23","slug":"dont-be-surprised-by-pogacars-early-dominance-history-shows-its-how-every-serial-tour-de-france-winner-succeeds-philippa-york-analysis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2040611","title":{"rendered":"Don&#8217;t be surprised by Poga\u010dar&#8217;s early dominance, history shows it&#8217;s how every serial Tour de France winner succeeds &#8211; Philippa York analysis"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-2000-80.png&#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>Don&#8217;t be surprised by Poga\u010dar&#8217;s early dominance, history shows it&#8217;s how every serial Tour de France winner succeeds &#8211; Philippa York analysis<\/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 \/>\nPhilippa York <\/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=\"2026-07-13T10:39:23Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n13 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Cyclingnews&#8217; expert columnist explains why Poga\u010dar&#8217;s strategy is tried-and-tested, and what Visma-Lease a Bike are lacking in their bid to turn the yellow jersey tussle around<\/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\">\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\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-2000-80.png.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-1920-80.png.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-1600-80.png.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-1440-80.png.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-1280-80.png.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-750-80.png.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-320-80.png.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\">Poga\u010dar&#8217;s early efforts are exposing Visma&#8217;s climbing frailties, says York<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Tim de Waele\/Getty Images\/Future)<\/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-e6f515dc-7e9c-11f1-94a0-839cab1777d8\">&#8216;The Tour is Over\u2019 was the headline at the conclusion of Thursday&#8217;s big Pyrenean stage. On the menu for the sixth day of the 2026 Tour de France was the Col d\u2019Aspin, the Col du Tourmalet, and a long uphill grind to the relatively unknown finish in Gavernie-G\u00e8dre. Tadej Poga\u010dar blasts the favourites group apart, and that\u2019s it; the race has taken a direction of travel with only one outcome. Somehow, everyone is surprised, shocked, or appalled. For many, it\u2019s all three emotions, and the culprit is the pre-race favourite who is also the guy chasing a fifth overall victory.<\/p>\n<p>Oh, ye of little memory. Can it really be a surprise that after the first GC rendezvous, there has been a GC sort-out? I mean, what has Tour de France history taught us about this situation? Well, you don\u2019t have to go back to the days of the &#8216;Club des Cinq&#8217; to be reminded of how that select group got their campaigns started almost every time they won. They went all in on the first proper GC test, blasted the competition aside and controlled the situation to their advantage from then on.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-e6f515dc-7e9c-11f1-94a0-839cab1777d8-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">They would lay down a dominant physical performance that said quite plainly, &#8216;don\u2019t even think about overturning my lead; otherwise, I\u2019ll do it again, and you\u2019ll be even further behind.&#8217; A physical blow and a psychological beating were delivered in that opening encounter. Anquetil and Indurain would do it in a time trial, whereas Merckx and Hinault could do it either in a TT or the first big mountain stage, and that would be their textbook play. Any opportunity afterwards would be icing on the cake that already had their name on it. Even when Team Sky came along with Wiggins and Froome, it was the same thing: hit them hard on the stage where the GC hierarchy would be determined, then control from then on \u2013 shock and awe tactics at their finest.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Watching UAE Team Emirates-XRG set the tempo on Aspin and then open up fully on the hardest parts of Tourmalet, I was immediately reminded of the Col de Romme in 2021. Poga\u010dar had won his first Tour the year before in the final time trial, deposing Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d at the last minute, so he started the following year as favourite. On the first GC day, stage 8 finishing with a Romme-Colombi\u00e8re double before the descent into Le Grand-Bornand. Davide Formolo led out at the beginning of the penultimate climb, Poga\u010dar then attacked, and only Richard Carapaz tried to follow but got blown off the wheel for his troubles. Tadej blasted up the Colombi\u00e8re, down the other side, and though he didn\u2019t win the stage on that occasion, his GC rivals lost three minutes. In the overall standings, Jonas Vingegaard, who went on to be his closest competition, was at five minutes. The Dane only conceded another 20 seconds by the time the race reached Paris, but the damage of stage 8 set the tone. All in, let&#8217;s see who is where and if you can\u2019t follow, then it\u2019s going to be very difficult to overturn any losses incurred.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-9026013c-7ea4-11f1-8999-493fc7b9c4d7\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\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\/mUsg7WvGJU4PNfn7imLGff-2000-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mUsg7WvGJU4PNfn7imLGff-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mUsg7WvGJU4PNfn7imLGff-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mUsg7WvGJU4PNfn7imLGff-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mUsg7WvGJU4PNfn7imLGff-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mUsg7WvGJU4PNfn7imLGff-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mUsg7WvGJU4PNfn7imLGff-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mUsg7WvGJU4PNfn7imLGff-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mUsg7WvGJU4PNfn7imLGff-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mUsg7WvGJU4PNfn7imLGff-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Poga\u010dar cracks a smile after powering away from his GC rivals on stage 6 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"after-ttt-triumph-visma-s-frailties-have-been-exposed-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">After TTT triumph, Visma&#8217;s frailties have been exposed<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-f8051de0-7ea1-11f1-9fcf-33e22d3285b0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The historic lessons are there, and then there were the two road stages in Barcelona as a precursor to what was going to happen on the Tourmalet when La Mongie came into view. Visma-Lease a Bike winning the team time trial was a slight surprise and probably a wake-up call to Poga\u010dar and company. Especially given that their big rivals were <em>sans<\/em> Wout Van Aert but could still deliver such a performance, yet the reply came the very next day. Issac del Toro led out in the final uphill finish, Tadej let the wheel go and, seeing no one was capable of closing the gap, waited until the right moment and rode across to his proteg\u00e9. I\u2019m not of the opinion that he let the Mexican win and more in the camp of Del Toro deserved the stage honours, which was an outcome that the world champion didn\u2019t need to challenge.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">And then the next day, on a slightly harder finish, Del Toro repaid the favour with Poga\u010dar taking the stage and the yellow jersey off the shoulders of Vingegaard.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-342f1412-7ea5-11f1-a29e-a593626a0297\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">More Tour columns &amp; opinion<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<ul>\n<li>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<\/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-342f148a-7ea5-11f1-9d2d-03a64eb68502\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">We had the perfect start to the Tour: Vingegaard with two days in the race lead, the UAE guys dictating the peloton, and Del Toro and Poga\u010dar the strongest climbers in the first few skirmishes. Everything pointed to the Pyrenees being the opening battle in the GC war, and so when Adam Yates stood on the pedals through the avalanche shelters approaching La Mongie, those riders in the first group knew this was where the real test was happening. Del Toro accelerated out of the last tunnel onto the wide open section where you are hoping for a breather before the passage through La Mongie, and Poga\u010dar took over. As soon as Vingegaard looked around for help, they knew the Dane was in trouble. If he didn\u2019t close the 10-second gap on the ramp out of the village, he wasn\u2019t going to do it in the final 3.5km to the summit.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Turns out he couldn\u2019t, went too deep, and Poga\u010dar never let him recover on the descent. By the time they reached Luz St Sauveur, for Vingegaard it was perfectly clear who was the strongest, and the 20km of rising valley road to the line were where he lost another two minutes to Poga\u010dar. The body language said he was done, but Poga\u010dar wasn\u2019t exactly fresh either; he may have won the stage and reclaimed yellow, but it cost him too. He had to ride at 100 per cent to break the will of everyone, and that\u2019s not something we have seen too often in the last couple of years. There\u2019s hope yet, and he\u2019s not five minutes behind like he was in 2021 when Poga\u010dar blew everyone away in similar circumstances. A 2:42 deficit is one bad moment and a tactical mistake in the Alps. The GC isn\u2019t done, but it\u2019ll be difficult to poke a hole in the UAE armour.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">I think what is more worrying is that, so far, Visma&#8217;s climbers haven\u2019t shown the level they need to take on the UAE armada. Sepp Kuss and Davide Piganzoli were expected to be near their leader in crucial moments, and they\u2019ve been patchy.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-ce454a00-7ea3-11f1-8e62-59013d70b531\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\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\/kQ3JooPeHifdxMdTWEsSVT-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kQ3JooPeHifdxMdTWEsSVT-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kQ3JooPeHifdxMdTWEsSVT-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kQ3JooPeHifdxMdTWEsSVT-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kQ3JooPeHifdxMdTWEsSVT-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kQ3JooPeHifdxMdTWEsSVT-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kQ3JooPeHifdxMdTWEsSVT-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kQ3JooPeHifdxMdTWEsSVT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kQ3JooPeHifdxMdTWEsSVT-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kQ3JooPeHifdxMdTWEsSVT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Vingegaard without a teammate next to him as the peloton heads into the high Pyrenees <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ce454a6e-7ea3-11f1-b86d-f380b2a485cc\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The euphoria of having the first yellow jersey has worn off quickly, and the sprint and transition stages that preceded and followed the Pyrenees have shown that Van Aert\u2019s absence could be a factor in the next phase of the race. Victor Campenaerts does his role of protecting Vingegaard well; however, they don\u2019t have a rider who can cover the breakaways and be a really useful asset on a really hard day. If they have to use Matteo Jorgensen on the tough stages between the big mountains, then he\u2019s going to be dropped earlier when the major climbs are the crunch moments. The Dutch squad might be waiting on UAE to falter, but so far that scenario hasn\u2019t looked likely. On the contrary, Poga\u010dar and his teammates are in a good place and probably thinking about getting Isaac Del Toro into the runner-up spot come Paris. All the interactions between the race leader and the Mexican champion seem to be &#8216;this is the how, where and when of the Tour and if you stay close to Tadej then you\u2019ll learn how things work at this level.&#8217;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"while-others-falter-could-del-toro-and-seixas-capitalise-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">While others falter, could Del Toro and Seixas capitalise?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-f8051ea8-7ea1-11f1-b0dc-65b1824be3f0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Del Toro is in a similar position to Paul Seixas, except he has less pressure than the young French star and more freedom to initiate situations without intense scrutiny of his motives. With nine days of racing done, Seixas is in unknown territory as far as his recovery and strength are concerned. He has handled the conditions and stresses at this level remarkably; the Tourmalet didn\u2019t break him, and he was one of the strongest in that test, so how he manages this middle week will be interesting. Decathlon have had their good surprise with Olav Kooij winning the first of the bunch sprint finishes, so the Seixas story can develop at its own pace. However, I imagine the Red Bull duo of Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz will not only be looking at each other but also at the Decathlon leader very closely.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There\u2019s always some intra-team drama on the Tour, and this year it looks like it\u2019s going to be a Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe affair. Remco hasn\u2019t got full control of his emotions yet, so we will probably see more outbursts if he has a difficult moment or two. Compared to Lipowitz, who seems unfazed by most things, Remco hasn\u2019t quite mastered dealing with not meeting his own expectations or those he has placed on others. He\u2019s looked good, sometimes ominously so, but whether that translates into being directly involved in testing Poga\u010dar and Del Toro remains to be seen. There\u2019s plenty of time ahead where frustration is going to be knocking at his door again, and if it\u2019s his co-leader whom he sees riding off into the distance, then there\u2019ll be someone, probably from a Belgian media outfit, who\u2019ll be asking how he felt in that moment.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The only thing for sure for Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe going into the first rest day is that their press conference will be well attended.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"pedersen-s-strategy-for-green-is-going-to-plan-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Pedersen&#8217;s strategy for green is going to plan <\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-b241c4d8-7ea2-11f1-a5fa-1f7e9e0cdc3b\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Quoting the general media trend that Tadej Poga\u010dar is going to win the race, the only classification of any contest looks set to be the points jersey. Mads Pedersen came with that in mind, and a Lidl Trek squad with that as the main aim alongside Mattias Skjelmose&#8217;s GC challenge as an add-on. So far, Mads is doing what he has to do: get in the breaks, hoover up the points from there and make the top-10 in the sprint finishes if that\u2019s how the stage pans out. As the middle part of the race develops, more of the pure sprinters will tire, and Pedersen will hopefully move from being in that 8-10th spot to the top five.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-b241c690-7ea2-11f1-81ac-5fc5d25b894e\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\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\/GPH9Fd9BqDFzXWHFaNTEXV-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GPH9Fd9BqDFzXWHFaNTEXV-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GPH9Fd9BqDFzXWHFaNTEXV-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GPH9Fd9BqDFzXWHFaNTEXV-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GPH9Fd9BqDFzXWHFaNTEXV-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GPH9Fd9BqDFzXWHFaNTEXV-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GPH9Fd9BqDFzXWHFaNTEXV-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GPH9Fd9BqDFzXWHFaNTEXV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GPH9Fd9BqDFzXWHFaNTEXV-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GPH9Fd9BqDFzXWHFaNTEXV-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Pedersen leads the points classification by 45 points <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Loic Venance\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-f8051f66-7ea1-11f1-b0e1-33b48456cc55\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Binian Girmay isn\u2019t letting him have that jersey just yet, though. However, neither are as fast as Tim Merlier, though given that Soudal QuickStep have ridden to make sure a bunch sprint happens, it seems like a fair reward for their efforts. Over at Alpecin-Premier Tech, who have done even more peloton pulling, it hasn\u2019t quite gone as smoothly for Jasper Philipsen, despite the Mathieu van der Poel leadouts. The stage win means pressure is off now for MVDP, winning on a so-called traditional transition day. Those up-and-down days in 40 degrees with melting tarmac and energy-sapping little climbs in most of the descents are horrible, which explains why we see the likes of Tom Pidcock and Van der Poel giving 110 per cent on these occasions. They are basically Classics conducted under a blazing sun in the middle of a three-week race. Only 40 or so riders surviving in the main bunch tells the story that getting from the Pyrenees to the Alps is always going to come at some cost.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Sadly, as can also be a traditional happening, we lost a maillot jaune in the heat of the battle. For Uno-X, having Torstein Tr\u00e6en in the race lead was a dream come true, crashing and breaking bones less so, but they are in every escape, and Tobias Johannessen is involved in the GC battle too, so I would say that everything from now on is a happy bonus. It probably won\u2019t be covered as much as the GC or Red Bull sagas to come, but there have to be good moments to sit alongside the ups and downs of life at the very top.<\/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<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-qtCb6GDgFuRnqZGQjLFM7j\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-qtCb6GDgFuRnqZGQjLFM7j 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\/4Ci2ntxBH7J9gCS8kMoyng-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Ci2ntxBH7J9gCS8kMoyng.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Ci2ntxBH7J9gCS8kMoyng.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Ci2ntxBH7J9gCS8kMoyng.jpg\" 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\">Philippa York<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Philippa York is a long-standing <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> contributor, providing expert racing analysis. As one of the early British racers to take the plunge and relocate to France with the famed ACBB club in the 1980&#8217;s, she was the inspiration for a generation of racing cyclists \u2013 and cycling fans \u2013 from the UK.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>The Glaswegian gained a contract with Peugeot in 1980, making her Tour de France debut in 1983 and taking a solo win in Bagn\u00e8res-de-Luchon in the Pyrenees, the mountain range which would prove a happy hunting ground throughout her Tour career.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>The following year&#8217;s race would prove to be one of her finest seasons, becoming the first rider from the UK to win the polka dot jersey at the Tour, whilst also becoming Britain&#8217;s highest-ever placed GC finisher with 4th spot.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>She finished runner-up at the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a in 1985 and 1986, to Pedro Delgado and \u00c1lvaro Pino respectively, and at the Giro d&#8217;Italia in 1987. Stage race victories include the Volta a Catalunya (1985), Tour of Britain (1989) and Crit\u00e9rium du Dauphin\u00e9 Lib\u00e9r\u00e9 (1990). York retired from professional cycling as reigning British champion following the collapse of Le Groupement in 1995.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><\/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<\/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\/tBFeUExR7HKoGoHFSJPUk8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tBFeUExR7HKoGoHFSJPUk8-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tBFeUExR7HKoGoHFSJPUk8-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tBFeUExR7HKoGoHFSJPUk8-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tBFeUExR7HKoGoHFSJPUk8.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tBFeUExR7HKoGoHFSJPUk8.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tBFeUExR7HKoGoHFSJPUk8.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\">QuickStep to end 24-year title sponsorship of Soudal-QuickStep team \u2013 but a replacement is lined up for 2027<\/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\">All that glitters is not gold \u2013 Half of Tour de France teams searching for title sponsors to fund rising rider salaries<\/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\">&#8216;That played in my favour in the end&#8217; \u2013 The harder it got, the more Mathieu van der Poel thrived in brutal Tour de France breakaway<\/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;The Tour is daunting, but we&#8217;re in the fight&#8217; &#8211; Tour de France &#8216;newbies&#8217; Caja Rural-Seguros RGA push hard to justify wildcard status<\/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;We wanted to calm things down&#8217; &#8211; UAE team management justify the decision to keep Tour de France stage 9 break on ultra-tight leash<\/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>Don&#8217;t be surprised by Poga\u010dar&#8217;s early dominance, history shows it&#8217;s how every serial Tour de France winner succeeds &#8211; Philippa York analysis<\/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 \/>\nPhilippa York <\/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=\"2026-07-13T10:39:23Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n13 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Cyclingnews&#8217; expert columnist explains why Poga\u010dar&#8217;s strategy is tried-and-tested, and what Visma-Lease a Bike are lacking in their bid to turn the yellow jersey tussle around<\/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\">\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\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-2000-80.png.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-1920-80.png.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-1600-80.png.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-1440-80.png.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-1280-80.png.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-750-80.png.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-320-80.png.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\">Poga\u010dar&#8217;s early efforts are exposing Visma&#8217;s climbing frailties, says York<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Tim de Waele\/Getty Images\/Future)<\/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-e6f515dc-7e9c-11f1-94a0-839cab1777d8\">&#8216;The Tour is Over\u2019 was the headline at the conclusion of Thursday&#8217;s big Pyrenean stage. On the menu for the sixth day of the 2026 Tour de France was the Col d\u2019Aspin, the Col du Tourmalet, and a long uphill grind to the relatively unknown finish in Gavernie-G\u00e8dre. Tadej Poga\u010dar blasts the favourites group apart, and that\u2019s it; the race has taken a direction of travel with only one outcome. Somehow, everyone is surprised, shocked, or appalled. For many, it\u2019s all three emotions, and the culprit is the pre-race favourite who is also the guy chasing a fifth overall victory.<\/p>\n<p>Oh, ye of little memory. Can it really be a surprise that after the first GC rendezvous, there has been a GC sort-out? I mean, what has Tour de France history taught us about this situation? Well, you don\u2019t have to go back to the days of the &#8216;Club des Cinq&#8217; to be reminded of how that select group got their campaigns started almost every time they won. They went all in on the first proper GC test, blasted the competition aside and controlled the situation to their advantage from then on.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-e6f515dc-7e9c-11f1-94a0-839cab1777d8-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">They would lay down a dominant physical performance that said quite plainly, &#8216;don\u2019t even think about overturning my lead; otherwise, I\u2019ll do it again, and you\u2019ll be even further behind.&#8217; A physical blow and a psychological beating were delivered in that opening encounter. Anquetil and Indurain would do it in a time trial, whereas Merckx and Hinault could do it either in a TT or the first big mountain stage, and that would be their textbook play. Any opportunity afterwards would be icing on the cake that already had their name on it. Even when Team Sky came along with Wiggins and Froome, it was the same thing: hit them hard on the stage where the GC hierarchy would be determined, then control from then on \u2013 shock and awe tactics at their finest.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Watching UAE Team Emirates-XRG set the tempo on Aspin and then open up fully on the hardest parts of Tourmalet, I was immediately reminded of the Col de Romme in 2021. Poga\u010dar had won his first Tour the year before in the final time trial, deposing Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d at the last minute, so he started the following year as favourite. On the first GC day, stage 8 finishing with a Romme-Colombi\u00e8re double before the descent into Le Grand-Bornand. Davide Formolo led out at the beginning of the penultimate climb, Poga\u010dar then attacked, and only Richard Carapaz tried to follow but got blown off the wheel for his troubles. Tadej blasted up the Colombi\u00e8re, down the other side, and though he didn\u2019t win the stage on that occasion, his GC rivals lost three minutes. In the overall standings, Jonas Vingegaard, who went on to be his closest competition, was at five minutes. The Dane only conceded another 20 seconds by the time the race reached Paris, but the damage of stage 8 set the tone. All in, let&#8217;s see who is where and if you can\u2019t follow, then it\u2019s going to be very difficult to overturn any losses incurred.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-9026013c-7ea4-11f1-8999-493fc7b9c4d7\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\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\/mUsg7WvGJU4PNfn7imLGff-2000-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mUsg7WvGJU4PNfn7imLGff-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mUsg7WvGJU4PNfn7imLGff-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mUsg7WvGJU4PNfn7imLGff-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mUsg7WvGJU4PNfn7imLGff-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mUsg7WvGJU4PNfn7imLGff-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mUsg7WvGJU4PNfn7imLGff-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mUsg7WvGJU4PNfn7imLGff-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mUsg7WvGJU4PNfn7imLGff-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mUsg7WvGJU4PNfn7imLGff-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Poga\u010dar cracks a smile after powering away from his GC rivals on stage 6 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"after-ttt-triumph-visma-s-frailties-have-been-exposed-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">After TTT triumph, Visma&#8217;s frailties have been exposed<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-f8051de0-7ea1-11f1-9fcf-33e22d3285b0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The historic lessons are there, and then there were the two road stages in Barcelona as a precursor to what was going to happen on the Tourmalet when La Mongie came into view. Visma-Lease a Bike winning the team time trial was a slight surprise and probably a wake-up call to Poga\u010dar and company. Especially given that their big rivals were <em>sans<\/em> Wout Van Aert but could still deliver such a performance, yet the reply came the very next day. Issac del Toro led out in the final uphill finish, Tadej let the wheel go and, seeing no one was capable of closing the gap, waited until the right moment and rode across to his proteg\u00e9. I\u2019m not of the opinion that he let the Mexican win and more in the camp of Del Toro deserved the stage honours, which was an outcome that the world champion didn\u2019t need to challenge.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">And then the next day, on a slightly harder finish, Del Toro repaid the favour with Poga\u010dar taking the stage and the yellow jersey off the shoulders of Vingegaard.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-342f1412-7ea5-11f1-a29e-a593626a0297\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">More Tour columns &amp; opinion<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<ul>\n<li>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<\/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-342f148a-7ea5-11f1-9d2d-03a64eb68502\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">We had the perfect start to the Tour: Vingegaard with two days in the race lead, the UAE guys dictating the peloton, and Del Toro and Poga\u010dar the strongest climbers in the first few skirmishes. Everything pointed to the Pyrenees being the opening battle in the GC war, and so when Adam Yates stood on the pedals through the avalanche shelters approaching La Mongie, those riders in the first group knew this was where the real test was happening. Del Toro accelerated out of the last tunnel onto the wide open section where you are hoping for a breather before the passage through La Mongie, and Poga\u010dar took over. As soon as Vingegaard looked around for help, they knew the Dane was in trouble. If he didn\u2019t close the 10-second gap on the ramp out of the village, he wasn\u2019t going to do it in the final 3.5km to the summit.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Turns out he couldn\u2019t, went too deep, and Poga\u010dar never let him recover on the descent. By the time they reached Luz St Sauveur, for Vingegaard it was perfectly clear who was the strongest, and the 20km of rising valley road to the line were where he lost another two minutes to Poga\u010dar. The body language said he was done, but Poga\u010dar wasn\u2019t exactly fresh either; he may have won the stage and reclaimed yellow, but it cost him too. He had to ride at 100 per cent to break the will of everyone, and that\u2019s not something we have seen too often in the last couple of years. There\u2019s hope yet, and he\u2019s not five minutes behind like he was in 2021 when Poga\u010dar blew everyone away in similar circumstances. A 2:42 deficit is one bad moment and a tactical mistake in the Alps. The GC isn\u2019t done, but it\u2019ll be difficult to poke a hole in the UAE armour.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">I think what is more worrying is that, so far, Visma&#8217;s climbers haven\u2019t shown the level they need to take on the UAE armada. Sepp Kuss and Davide Piganzoli were expected to be near their leader in crucial moments, and they\u2019ve been patchy.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-ce454a00-7ea3-11f1-8e62-59013d70b531\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\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\/kQ3JooPeHifdxMdTWEsSVT-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kQ3JooPeHifdxMdTWEsSVT-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kQ3JooPeHifdxMdTWEsSVT-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kQ3JooPeHifdxMdTWEsSVT-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kQ3JooPeHifdxMdTWEsSVT-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kQ3JooPeHifdxMdTWEsSVT-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kQ3JooPeHifdxMdTWEsSVT-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kQ3JooPeHifdxMdTWEsSVT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kQ3JooPeHifdxMdTWEsSVT-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kQ3JooPeHifdxMdTWEsSVT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Vingegaard without a teammate next to him as the peloton heads into the high Pyrenees <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ce454a6e-7ea3-11f1-b86d-f380b2a485cc\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The euphoria of having the first yellow jersey has worn off quickly, and the sprint and transition stages that preceded and followed the Pyrenees have shown that Van Aert\u2019s absence could be a factor in the next phase of the race. Victor Campenaerts does his role of protecting Vingegaard well; however, they don\u2019t have a rider who can cover the breakaways and be a really useful asset on a really hard day. If they have to use Matteo Jorgensen on the tough stages between the big mountains, then he\u2019s going to be dropped earlier when the major climbs are the crunch moments. The Dutch squad might be waiting on UAE to falter, but so far that scenario hasn\u2019t looked likely. On the contrary, Poga\u010dar and his teammates are in a good place and probably thinking about getting Isaac Del Toro into the runner-up spot come Paris. All the interactions between the race leader and the Mexican champion seem to be &#8216;this is the how, where and when of the Tour and if you stay close to Tadej then you\u2019ll learn how things work at this level.&#8217;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"while-others-falter-could-del-toro-and-seixas-capitalise-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">While others falter, could Del Toro and Seixas capitalise?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-f8051ea8-7ea1-11f1-b0dc-65b1824be3f0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Del Toro is in a similar position to Paul Seixas, except he has less pressure than the young French star and more freedom to initiate situations without intense scrutiny of his motives. With nine days of racing done, Seixas is in unknown territory as far as his recovery and strength are concerned. He has handled the conditions and stresses at this level remarkably; the Tourmalet didn\u2019t break him, and he was one of the strongest in that test, so how he manages this middle week will be interesting. Decathlon have had their good surprise with Olav Kooij winning the first of the bunch sprint finishes, so the Seixas story can develop at its own pace. However, I imagine the Red Bull duo of Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz will not only be looking at each other but also at the Decathlon leader very closely.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There\u2019s always some intra-team drama on the Tour, and this year it looks like it\u2019s going to be a Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe affair. Remco hasn\u2019t got full control of his emotions yet, so we will probably see more outbursts if he has a difficult moment or two. Compared to Lipowitz, who seems unfazed by most things, Remco hasn\u2019t quite mastered dealing with not meeting his own expectations or those he has placed on others. He\u2019s looked good, sometimes ominously so, but whether that translates into being directly involved in testing Poga\u010dar and Del Toro remains to be seen. There\u2019s plenty of time ahead where frustration is going to be knocking at his door again, and if it\u2019s his co-leader whom he sees riding off into the distance, then there\u2019ll be someone, probably from a Belgian media outfit, who\u2019ll be asking how he felt in that moment.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The only thing for sure for Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe going into the first rest day is that their press conference will be well attended.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"pedersen-s-strategy-for-green-is-going-to-plan-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Pedersen&#8217;s strategy for green is going to plan <\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-b241c4d8-7ea2-11f1-a5fa-1f7e9e0cdc3b\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Quoting the general media trend that Tadej Poga\u010dar is going to win the race, the only classification of any contest looks set to be the points jersey. Mads Pedersen came with that in mind, and a Lidl Trek squad with that as the main aim alongside Mattias Skjelmose&#8217;s GC challenge as an add-on. So far, Mads is doing what he has to do: get in the breaks, hoover up the points from there and make the top-10 in the sprint finishes if that\u2019s how the stage pans out. As the middle part of the race develops, more of the pure sprinters will tire, and Pedersen will hopefully move from being in that 8-10th spot to the top five.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-b241c690-7ea2-11f1-81ac-5fc5d25b894e\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\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\/GPH9Fd9BqDFzXWHFaNTEXV-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GPH9Fd9BqDFzXWHFaNTEXV-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GPH9Fd9BqDFzXWHFaNTEXV-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GPH9Fd9BqDFzXWHFaNTEXV-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GPH9Fd9BqDFzXWHFaNTEXV-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GPH9Fd9BqDFzXWHFaNTEXV-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GPH9Fd9BqDFzXWHFaNTEXV-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GPH9Fd9BqDFzXWHFaNTEXV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GPH9Fd9BqDFzXWHFaNTEXV-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GPH9Fd9BqDFzXWHFaNTEXV-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Pedersen leads the points classification by 45 points <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Loic Venance\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-f8051f66-7ea1-11f1-b0e1-33b48456cc55\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Binian Girmay isn\u2019t letting him have that jersey just yet, though. However, neither are as fast as Tim Merlier, though given that Soudal QuickStep have ridden to make sure a bunch sprint happens, it seems like a fair reward for their efforts. Over at Alpecin-Premier Tech, who have done even more peloton pulling, it hasn\u2019t quite gone as smoothly for Jasper Philipsen, despite the Mathieu van der Poel leadouts. The stage win means pressure is off now for MVDP, winning on a so-called traditional transition day. Those up-and-down days in 40 degrees with melting tarmac and energy-sapping little climbs in most of the descents are horrible, which explains why we see the likes of Tom Pidcock and Van der Poel giving 110 per cent on these occasions. They are basically Classics conducted under a blazing sun in the middle of a three-week race. Only 40 or so riders surviving in the main bunch tells the story that getting from the Pyrenees to the Alps is always going to come at some cost.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Sadly, as can also be a traditional happening, we lost a maillot jaune in the heat of the battle. For Uno-X, having Torstein Tr\u00e6en in the race lead was a dream come true, crashing and breaking bones less so, but they are in every escape, and Tobias Johannessen is involved in the GC battle too, so I would say that everything from now on is a happy bonus. It probably won\u2019t be covered as much as the GC or Red Bull sagas to come, but there have to be good moments to sit alongside the ups and downs of life at the very top.<\/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<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-qtCb6GDgFuRnqZGQjLFM7j\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-qtCb6GDgFuRnqZGQjLFM7j 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\/4Ci2ntxBH7J9gCS8kMoyng-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Ci2ntxBH7J9gCS8kMoyng.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Ci2ntxBH7J9gCS8kMoyng.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Ci2ntxBH7J9gCS8kMoyng.jpg\" 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\">Philippa York<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Philippa York is a long-standing <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> contributor, providing expert racing analysis. As one of the early British racers to take the plunge and relocate to France with the famed ACBB club in the 1980&#8217;s, she was the inspiration for a generation of racing cyclists \u2013 and cycling fans \u2013 from the UK.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>The Glaswegian gained a contract with Peugeot in 1980, making her Tour de France debut in 1983 and taking a solo win in Bagn\u00e8res-de-Luchon in the Pyrenees, the mountain range which would prove a happy hunting ground throughout her Tour career.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>The following year&#8217;s race would prove to be one of her finest seasons, becoming the first rider from the UK to win the polka dot jersey at the Tour, whilst also becoming Britain&#8217;s highest-ever placed GC finisher with 4th spot.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>She finished runner-up at the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a in 1985 and 1986, to Pedro Delgado and \u00c1lvaro Pino respectively, and at the Giro d&#8217;Italia in 1987. Stage race victories include the Volta a Catalunya (1985), Tour of Britain (1989) and Crit\u00e9rium du Dauphin\u00e9 Lib\u00e9r\u00e9 (1990). York retired from professional cycling as reigning British champion following the collapse of Le Groupement in 1995.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><\/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<\/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\/tBFeUExR7HKoGoHFSJPUk8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tBFeUExR7HKoGoHFSJPUk8-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tBFeUExR7HKoGoHFSJPUk8-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tBFeUExR7HKoGoHFSJPUk8-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tBFeUExR7HKoGoHFSJPUk8.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tBFeUExR7HKoGoHFSJPUk8.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tBFeUExR7HKoGoHFSJPUk8.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\">QuickStep to end 24-year title sponsorship of Soudal-QuickStep team \u2013 but a replacement is lined up for 2027<\/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\">All that glitters is not gold \u2013 Half of Tour de France teams searching for title sponsors to fund rising rider salaries<\/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\">&#8216;That played in my favour in the end&#8217; \u2013 The harder it got, the more Mathieu van der Poel thrived in brutal Tour de France breakaway<\/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;The Tour is daunting, but we&#8217;re in the fight&#8217; &#8211; Tour de France &#8216;newbies&#8217; Caja Rural-Seguros RGA push hard to justify wildcard status<\/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;We wanted to calm things down&#8217; &#8211; UAE team management justify the decision to keep Tour de France stage 9 break on ultra-tight leash<\/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>Don&#8217;t be surprised by Poga\u010dar&#8217;s early dominance, history shows it&#8217;s how every serial Tour de France winner succeeds &#8211; Philippa York analysis<\/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 \/>\nPhilippa York <\/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=\"2026-07-13T10:39:23Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n13 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Cyclingnews&#8217; expert columnist explains why Poga\u010dar&#8217;s strategy is tried-and-tested, and what Visma-Lease a Bike are lacking in their bid to turn the yellow jersey tussle around<\/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\">\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-e6f515dc-7e9c-11f1-94a0-839cab1777d8\">&#8216;The Tour is Over\u2019 was the headline at the conclusion of Thursday&#8217;s big Pyrenean stage. On the menu for the sixth day of the 2026 Tour de France was the Col d\u2019Aspin, the Col du Tourmalet, and a long uphill grind to the relatively unknown finish in Gavernie-G\u00e8dre. Tadej Poga\u010dar blasts the favourites group apart, and that\u2019s it; the race has taken a direction of travel with only one outcome. Somehow, everyone is surprised, shocked, or appalled. For many, it\u2019s all three emotions, and the culprit is the pre-race favourite who is also the guy chasing a fifth overall victory.<\/p>\n<p>Oh, ye of little memory. Can it really be a surprise that after the first GC rendezvous, there has been a GC sort-out? I mean, what has Tour de France history taught us about this situation? Well, you don\u2019t have to go back to the days of the &#8216;Club des Cinq&#8217; to be reminded of how that select group got their campaigns started almost every time they won. They went all in on the first proper GC test, blasted the competition aside and controlled the situation to their advantage from then on.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-e6f515dc-7e9c-11f1-94a0-839cab1777d8-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">They would lay down a dominant physical performance that said quite plainly, &#8216;don\u2019t even think about overturning my lead; otherwise, I\u2019ll do it again, and you\u2019ll be even further behind.&#8217; A physical blow and a psychological beating were delivered in that opening encounter. Anquetil and Indurain would do it in a time trial, whereas Merckx and Hinault could do it either in a TT or the first big mountain stage, and that would be their textbook play. Any opportunity afterwards would be icing on the cake that already had their name on it. Even when Team Sky came along with Wiggins and Froome, it was the same thing: hit them hard on the stage where the GC hierarchy would be determined, then control from then on \u2013 shock and awe tactics at their finest.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Watching UAE Team Emirates-XRG set the tempo on Aspin and then open up fully on the hardest parts of Tourmalet, I was immediately reminded of the Col de Romme in 2021. Poga\u010dar had won his first Tour the year before in the final time trial, deposing Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d at the last minute, so he started the following year as favourite. On the first GC day, stage 8 finishing with a Romme-Colombi\u00e8re double before the descent into Le Grand-Bornand. Davide Formolo led out at the beginning of the penultimate climb, Poga\u010dar then attacked, and only Richard Carapaz tried to follow but got blown off the wheel for his troubles. Tadej blasted up the Colombi\u00e8re, down the other side, and though he didn\u2019t win the stage on that occasion, his GC rivals lost three minutes. In the overall standings, Jonas Vingegaard, who went on to be his closest competition, was at five minutes. The Dane only conceded another 20 seconds by the time the race reached Paris, but the damage of stage 8 set the tone. All in, let&#8217;s see who is where and if you can\u2019t follow, then it\u2019s going to be very difficult to overturn any losses incurred.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-9026013c-7ea4-11f1-8999-493fc7b9c4d7\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\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\/mUsg7WvGJU4PNfn7imLGff-2000-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mUsg7WvGJU4PNfn7imLGff-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mUsg7WvGJU4PNfn7imLGff-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mUsg7WvGJU4PNfn7imLGff-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mUsg7WvGJU4PNfn7imLGff-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mUsg7WvGJU4PNfn7imLGff-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mUsg7WvGJU4PNfn7imLGff-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mUsg7WvGJU4PNfn7imLGff-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mUsg7WvGJU4PNfn7imLGff-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mUsg7WvGJU4PNfn7imLGff-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Poga\u010dar cracks a smile after powering away from his GC rivals on stage 6 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"after-ttt-triumph-visma-s-frailties-have-been-exposed-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">After TTT triumph, Visma&#8217;s frailties have been exposed<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-f8051de0-7ea1-11f1-9fcf-33e22d3285b0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The historic lessons are there, and then there were the two road stages in Barcelona as a precursor to what was going to happen on the Tourmalet when La Mongie came into view. Visma-Lease a Bike winning the team time trial was a slight surprise and probably a wake-up call to Poga\u010dar and company. Especially given that their big rivals were <em>sans<\/em> Wout Van Aert but could still deliver such a performance, yet the reply came the very next day. Issac del Toro led out in the final uphill finish, Tadej let the wheel go and, seeing no one was capable of closing the gap, waited until the right moment and rode across to his proteg\u00e9. I\u2019m not of the opinion that he let the Mexican win and more in the camp of Del Toro deserved the stage honours, which was an outcome that the world champion didn\u2019t need to challenge.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">And then the next day, on a slightly harder finish, Del Toro repaid the favour with Poga\u010dar taking the stage and the yellow jersey off the shoulders of Vingegaard.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-342f1412-7ea5-11f1-a29e-a593626a0297\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">More Tour columns &amp; opinion<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<ul>\n<li>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<\/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-342f148a-7ea5-11f1-9d2d-03a64eb68502\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">We had the perfect start to the Tour: Vingegaard with two days in the race lead, the UAE guys dictating the peloton, and Del Toro and Poga\u010dar the strongest climbers in the first few skirmishes. Everything pointed to the Pyrenees being the opening battle in the GC war, and so when Adam Yates stood on the pedals through the avalanche shelters approaching La Mongie, those riders in the first group knew this was where the real test was happening. Del Toro accelerated out of the last tunnel onto the wide open section where you are hoping for a breather before the passage through La Mongie, and Poga\u010dar took over. As soon as Vingegaard looked around for help, they knew the Dane was in trouble. If he didn\u2019t close the 10-second gap on the ramp out of the village, he wasn\u2019t going to do it in the final 3.5km to the summit.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Turns out he couldn\u2019t, went too deep, and Poga\u010dar never let him recover on the descent. By the time they reached Luz St Sauveur, for Vingegaard it was perfectly clear who was the strongest, and the 20km of rising valley road to the line were where he lost another two minutes to Poga\u010dar. The body language said he was done, but Poga\u010dar wasn\u2019t exactly fresh either; he may have won the stage and reclaimed yellow, but it cost him too. He had to ride at 100 per cent to break the will of everyone, and that\u2019s not something we have seen too often in the last couple of years. There\u2019s hope yet, and he\u2019s not five minutes behind like he was in 2021 when Poga\u010dar blew everyone away in similar circumstances. A 2:42 deficit is one bad moment and a tactical mistake in the Alps. The GC isn\u2019t done, but it\u2019ll be difficult to poke a hole in the UAE armour.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">I think what is more worrying is that, so far, Visma&#8217;s climbers haven\u2019t shown the level they need to take on the UAE armada. Sepp Kuss and Davide Piganzoli were expected to be near their leader in crucial moments, and they\u2019ve been patchy.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-ce454a00-7ea3-11f1-8e62-59013d70b531\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\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\/kQ3JooPeHifdxMdTWEsSVT-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kQ3JooPeHifdxMdTWEsSVT-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kQ3JooPeHifdxMdTWEsSVT-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kQ3JooPeHifdxMdTWEsSVT-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kQ3JooPeHifdxMdTWEsSVT-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kQ3JooPeHifdxMdTWEsSVT-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kQ3JooPeHifdxMdTWEsSVT-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kQ3JooPeHifdxMdTWEsSVT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kQ3JooPeHifdxMdTWEsSVT-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kQ3JooPeHifdxMdTWEsSVT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Vingegaard without a teammate next to him as the peloton heads into the high Pyrenees <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ce454a6e-7ea3-11f1-b86d-f380b2a485cc\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The euphoria of having the first yellow jersey has worn off quickly, and the sprint and transition stages that preceded and followed the Pyrenees have shown that Van Aert\u2019s absence could be a factor in the next phase of the race. Victor Campenaerts does his role of protecting Vingegaard well; however, they don\u2019t have a rider who can cover the breakaways and be a really useful asset on a really hard day. If they have to use Matteo Jorgensen on the tough stages between the big mountains, then he\u2019s going to be dropped earlier when the major climbs are the crunch moments. The Dutch squad might be waiting on UAE to falter, but so far that scenario hasn\u2019t looked likely. On the contrary, Poga\u010dar and his teammates are in a good place and probably thinking about getting Isaac Del Toro into the runner-up spot come Paris. All the interactions between the race leader and the Mexican champion seem to be &#8216;this is the how, where and when of the Tour and if you stay close to Tadej then you\u2019ll learn how things work at this level.&#8217;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"while-others-falter-could-del-toro-and-seixas-capitalise-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">While others falter, could Del Toro and Seixas capitalise?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-f8051ea8-7ea1-11f1-b0dc-65b1824be3f0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Del Toro is in a similar position to Paul Seixas, except he has less pressure than the young French star and more freedom to initiate situations without intense scrutiny of his motives. With nine days of racing done, Seixas is in unknown territory as far as his recovery and strength are concerned. He has handled the conditions and stresses at this level remarkably; the Tourmalet didn\u2019t break him, and he was one of the strongest in that test, so how he manages this middle week will be interesting. Decathlon have had their good surprise with Olav Kooij winning the first of the bunch sprint finishes, so the Seixas story can develop at its own pace. However, I imagine the Red Bull duo of Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz will not only be looking at each other but also at the Decathlon leader very closely.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There\u2019s always some intra-team drama on the Tour, and this year it looks like it\u2019s going to be a Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe affair. Remco hasn\u2019t got full control of his emotions yet, so we will probably see more outbursts if he has a difficult moment or two. Compared to Lipowitz, who seems unfazed by most things, Remco hasn\u2019t quite mastered dealing with not meeting his own expectations or those he has placed on others. He\u2019s looked good, sometimes ominously so, but whether that translates into being directly involved in testing Poga\u010dar and Del Toro remains to be seen. There\u2019s plenty of time ahead where frustration is going to be knocking at his door again, and if it\u2019s his co-leader whom he sees riding off into the distance, then there\u2019ll be someone, probably from a Belgian media outfit, who\u2019ll be asking how he felt in that moment.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The only thing for sure for Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe going into the first rest day is that their press conference will be well attended.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"pedersen-s-strategy-for-green-is-going-to-plan-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Pedersen&#8217;s strategy for green is going to plan <\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-b241c4d8-7ea2-11f1-a5fa-1f7e9e0cdc3b\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Quoting the general media trend that Tadej Poga\u010dar is going to win the race, the only classification of any contest looks set to be the points jersey. Mads Pedersen came with that in mind, and a Lidl Trek squad with that as the main aim alongside Mattias Skjelmose&#8217;s GC challenge as an add-on. So far, Mads is doing what he has to do: get in the breaks, hoover up the points from there and make the top-10 in the sprint finishes if that\u2019s how the stage pans out. As the middle part of the race develops, more of the pure sprinters will tire, and Pedersen will hopefully move from being in that 8-10th spot to the top five.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-b241c690-7ea2-11f1-81ac-5fc5d25b894e\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\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\/GPH9Fd9BqDFzXWHFaNTEXV-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GPH9Fd9BqDFzXWHFaNTEXV-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GPH9Fd9BqDFzXWHFaNTEXV-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GPH9Fd9BqDFzXWHFaNTEXV-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GPH9Fd9BqDFzXWHFaNTEXV-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GPH9Fd9BqDFzXWHFaNTEXV-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GPH9Fd9BqDFzXWHFaNTEXV-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GPH9Fd9BqDFzXWHFaNTEXV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GPH9Fd9BqDFzXWHFaNTEXV-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GPH9Fd9BqDFzXWHFaNTEXV-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Pedersen leads the points classification by 45 points <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Loic Venance\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-f8051f66-7ea1-11f1-b0e1-33b48456cc55\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Binian Girmay isn\u2019t letting him have that jersey just yet, though. However, neither are as fast as Tim Merlier, though given that Soudal QuickStep have ridden to make sure a bunch sprint happens, it seems like a fair reward for their efforts. Over at Alpecin-Premier Tech, who have done even more peloton pulling, it hasn\u2019t quite gone as smoothly for Jasper Philipsen, despite the Mathieu van der Poel leadouts. The stage win means pressure is off now for MVDP, winning on a so-called traditional transition day. Those up-and-down days in 40 degrees with melting tarmac and energy-sapping little climbs in most of the descents are horrible, which explains why we see the likes of Tom Pidcock and Van der Poel giving 110 per cent on these occasions. They are basically Classics conducted under a blazing sun in the middle of a three-week race. Only 40 or so riders surviving in the main bunch tells the story that getting from the Pyrenees to the Alps is always going to come at some cost.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Sadly, as can also be a traditional happening, we lost a maillot jaune in the heat of the battle. For Uno-X, having Torstein Tr\u00e6en in the race lead was a dream come true, crashing and breaking bones less so, but they are in every escape, and Tobias Johannessen is involved in the GC battle too, so I would say that everything from now on is a happy bonus. It probably won\u2019t be covered as much as the GC or Red Bull sagas to come, but there have to be good moments to sit alongside the ups and downs of life at the very top.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/dont-be-surprised-by-pogacars-early-dominance-history-shows-its-how-every-serial-tour-de-france-winner-succeeds-philippa-york-analysis\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-2000-80.png&#8221;] Pro Cycling Don&#8217;t be surprised by Poga\u010dar&#8217;s early dominance, history shows it&#8217;s how every serial Tour de France winner succeeds &#8211; Philippa York analysis MEMBER EXCLUSIVE Features By Philippa York Published 13 July 2026 Cyclingnews&#8217; expert columnist explains why Poga\u010dar&#8217;s strategy is tried-and-tested, and what Visma-Lease a Bike are lacking in their [&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-2040611","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\/2040611","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=2040611"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2040611\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2040611"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2040611"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2040611"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}