The second on the Pyrenees, which anticipates the first day of rest, also says that Landa is always there when the road climbs, that Quintana is still lacking in details, that the French Martin and Bardet can still say a lot, that Rigoberto Uran quietly earns points, which Adam Yates while not collapsing has rejoined the ranks. And that Marc Hirschi is a really tough rider. Also 22 years old, Swiss like Cancellara, the last of those parties to win a stage at the Grande Boucle. “He is the Kylian Mbappé of cycling”, the good Fabian defined him to the transalpine press. And he continues to answer. In Nice he was only beaten by Alaphilippe. This time he shows even more important things: he starts attacking downhill immediately after the first GPM, he is reached, he starts again, he remains alone, he deludes himself, he is resumed at the last km. Morale wounded, yet the first to relaunch in the sprint: he is third, but the time for a company is ripe.
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Many ideas on the day on which Pau is celebrated for the 72nd time as the stage venue, a ritual that began in 1930. It was one of Andre Leducq’s two tours (one capable of winning thanks to a makeshift pedal offered by a spectator when sitting on a rock cried and was about to retire). That day, however, Italian was spoken: victory for Alfredo Binda, Learco Guerra in the yellow jersey. Very distant times, the Col del la Hourcere certifies it. It is a first for the Tour: 11.1 km at 8.8%, Fabio Aru will not put it in the book of memories. Abandon: radio corsa declares a precarious situation that, apart from a flash of the past few days that lasted exactly 7 km, had appeared clear. In the Sardinian DNA there are no traces of that Aru who was able to win the yellow jersey 3 years ago. The crisis, the retirement, everything can be there: but perhaps the choice to participate in a race like the Tour could have been evaluated with greater attention. And Pogacar, as if that were not enough, loses a precious piece.
Giuseppe Saronni, who has a managerial role in the Emirati formation, was very hard on Rai microphones: “Aru disappointed us when they needed him. He has problems, including psychological ones. He doesn’t react to the first difficulties: he goes down, he doesn’t have that character. This is a big problem for us. Now we have to assess who has decided to take him to the Tour de France “. Translated, it is in fact a testimonial.
Aru’s reply is laconic: “I really don’t know what is happening to me, I have no answers and this thing makes me suffer. I approached this Tour de France on tiptoe, but I am aware that I have worked well. Not to rank. , but to help Tadej (Pogacar, ed) in the best possible way and maybe, who knows, take some personal satisfaction if the opportunity arises.I came from a series of encouraging performances, in a growing parable, except for the bad day in Lombardy. The data also showed optimism in returning to a condition that would allow me to perform well, certainly the best in the last 3 years. Also yesterday, talking to the team doctor, I told him that I had growing sensations, and that I was confident for the continuation of the race. Now I’m here, on the ground, without understanding why “.
Further news. Full start, hard to find room for escape. Then Hirschi succeeds. Behind the Jumbo monopolizes: Dumoulin is now a wingman in Roglic, but this was already understood. The stage is hard but not very hard. It is decided on the Col de Marie Blanque, first category, 7.7 km at 8.6%. Pogacar attacks, but by now they understand that it is dangerous. Roglic, Landa and Bernal go with him. Behind Quintana, the French and Uran do not give up. Hirschi seeks a desperate time trial to resist, but dreams fade to the best. And Slovenia is still celebrating: “I thank the team, they did a great job – explains Pogacar -. After such a tough stage it’s crazy to have won right here for the first time on the Tour. I’m happy with this first week, we only missed the stage where the fan was. “Word to Roglic:” It was really difficult today, but I saw my mates motivated. At that point I realized it could be a good day. It was a really good job, right from km 0. The yellow jersey has always been my dream, I dedicate it to my family, I’m very proud “.
ORDER OF ARRIVAL
1. Tadej Pogacar (Slo, UAE-Emirates) in 3h55’17”
2. Primoz Roglic (Slo, Jumbo-Visma) st
3. Marc Hirschi (Svi, Team Sunweb) s.t.
4. Egan Bernal (Col) s.t.
5. Mikel Landa (Esp) s.t.
Bauke Mollema (Ned) a 0’11 “
7. Guillaume Martin (Fra) s.t.
8. Romain Bardet (Fra) st
9. Richie Porte (Aus) st
10. Rigoberto Uran (Col) st
11. Nairo Quintana (Col) st
15. Adam Yates (Gbr) a 0’54”
16. Miguel Angel Lopez (Col) s.t.
17. Tom Dumoulin (Ned) s.t.
33. Thibaut Pinot (Fra) a 9’28 “
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1. Primoz Roglic (Slo, Jumbo-Visma) in 38h40’01 “
2. Egan Bernal (Col, Ineos-Grenadiers) a 0’21”
3. Guillaume Martin (Fra, Cofidis) at 0’28 “
Romain Bardet (Fra) at 0’30 “
5. Nairo Quintana (Col) at 0’32 “
6. Rigoberto Uran (Col) st
7. Tadej Pogacar (Slo) a 0’44 “
8. Adam Yates (Gbr) a 1’02”
9. Miguel Angel Lopez (Col) a 1’15”
10. Miguel Landa (Esp) at 1’42 “
14. Tom Dumoulin (Ned) a 3’22”
15. Richard Carapaz (Ecu) a 3’42”
24. Thibaut Pinot (Fra) a 28’32 “
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