Nothing could stop Tadej Pogacar this Wednesday on the fourth stage between Pinerolo and Valloire. Launched full speed into the descent of Galibier (2627 meters), after a decisive attack 800 meters from the summit which distanced his rival Jonas Vingegaard, the Slovenian leader of UAE Emirates could have lost everything because of a surprise guest…
A few kilometers from the finish, a marmot crossed about thirty meters in front of Tadej Pogacar while he was speeding at over 80 km/h. No fear for the double winner of the Tour de France (2020, 2021) who did not even glance at the rodent, and won with a 35-second lead over Remco Evenepoel and Primoz Roglic. The Dane Vingegaard finished fifth, 37 seconds behind the day’s leader.
With an eight-second lead at the top of the Galibier over Vingegaard, a double winner of the Tour in 2022 and 2023, Tadej Pogacar performed a balancing act on the descent to Valloire to win solo. A high-flying performance that allowed Mauro Gianetti’s protégé to take back the yellow jersey from Richard Carapaz, who was struggling on the slopes of the Galibier.
This Wednesday, the Slovenian leader should in principle keep the leader’s jersey on the flat stage between Saint-Jean-De-Maurienne and Saint-Vulbas (177.4km). And should no longer come across any marmots.
