The first mountain stage arriving this Wednesday in Laruns gave rise to the first major explanation. And the verdict is (for now) without appeal. Jonas Vingegaard who, since leaving Bilbao, spent his time glued to the tails of his rival Tadej Pogacar, placed an attack (1.5 km from the top of the last difficulty of the day) which left the Slovenian without reaction. More juice, more sound, more light. Vingegaard confiscating in passing the record for the ascent of the Marie Blanque pass from his rival (20’57” against 22’24” in 2020).
However, the terrain was not ideal for Vingegaard with a long descent (11 km) preceding a flat final (7 km) not ideal for widening the gaps. Pogacar and UAE, incisive since the start of the Tour, have lost a lot in a few kilometers. The yellow jersey of Adam Yates passed on the shoulders of the Australian Jai Hindley and the psychological advantage of a successful start after being much (too?) dispersed. By multiplying. To widen gaps, grab seconds (16” for Pogacar) or defend the yellow jersey.
Tadej Pogacar, in the rise of Marie Blanque, saw his worst nightmare reappear. Jonas Vingegaard, the rider who had rotted his Tour in 2022. After the first round in the mountains, the Dane is in 2nd place in the general classification (47” from Hindley), the Slovenian is 6th at 1’40 ”.
After a spring thwarted by a fall on Liège-Bastogne-Liège, raised with a fracture of the left scaphoid, the Slovenian suffered from a chopped preparation. A delay which can explain its limits of the moment. Worrying insofar as Jonas Vingegaard and Jumbo-Visma, obsessed with the final victory on the Tour, seem perfectly in place and ready to use all the grounds to take advantage of their superiority. An advantage to put into perspective, however, because Tadej Pogacar should be able to rely on a form going crescendo during the Tour (ideal for the difficulties of a high-pitched third week?). Hoping for him that it doesn’t happen too late…