'I think everyone expected more from Ineos,' says Tadej Pogačar as Egan Bernal drops out of GC contention
The Slovenian won the stage and took back a slither of time on race leader Primož Roglič
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RQ4ZUZBmHPAiMSNEPtXzcA-415-80.jpg)
Tadej Pogačar continued to whittle away at Primož Roglič's overall lead at the Tour de France, outsprinting the yellow jersey on the Grand Colombier to cross the line first on stage 15.
The UAE Team Emirates rider reduced his deficit to his compatriot thanks to the stage 15 win and 10 bonus seconds he took on the line, compared to Rogličs six, now leaving him 40 seconds behind heading into the second rest day.
Pogačar said it wouldn't have been wise to attack as Jumbo-Visma drove a hard pace up the final climb of the day, instead waiting for the sprint, attacking his GC rivals within the final kilometre.
"Jumbo-Visma set the pace really high and it made it really difficult, from my point of view it was not sensible to attack." Pogačar said after the stage. "In the end I was waiting for the sprint and I'm happy to win again."
The battle for the yellow jersey now seems reduced to the two Slovenians, after Egan Bernal cracked and lost over seven minutes. Pogačar says he expected more from Ineos, but that nobody really stood a chance with the pace Jumbo-Visma were setting.
"I think everyone expected a little bit more from [Ineos]," Pogačar admitted. "But Jumbo-Visma set the pace high from the beginning with the three really hard climbs, nobody stood a chance."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
As for the rider standing between him and the yellow jersey, Pogačar knows he has tough opposition.
"For the moment, [Roglič] seems unstoppable, but today Bernal cracked, maybe one day I will crack or Roglič will, you never know in a three-week stage race, especially the Tour. There are always opportunities."
With a number of hard days in the Alps still to come, the race will eventually boil down to a time trial up Les Planches des Belles Filles. Roglič has said he would happily take his current 40-second buffer into the race against the clock, while Pogačar also seems ready to have a crack at it.
"I did the recon and I was pretty happy trying the course," Pogačar said. "Now it will be a little bit different after three weeks of racing but I like the course, there's a chance for a bike change, I'm really looking forward to it."
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Hi. I'm Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor. I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.
Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).
I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.
-
A Stars and Stripes jersey and cold hard cash: the 2024 Gravel National Championships to offer a $40,000 prize purse for elite races
The US Gravel National Championships will return to Gering, Nebraska, on September 8
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Tadej Pogačar broke 288 Strava KOMs during Tour de France victory
Slovenian won his third Tour title in Nice last weekend, and picked up a host of new trophies on Strava
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
It's time to stop expecting so much of Ineos Grenadiers at the Tour de France
The British team are always under pressure to match their past best, but it’s not going to happen anytime soon
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tom Pidcock says Ineos Grenadiers will be 'better' at the Tour de France without Steve Cummings
Netflix series depicted tension between the DS and rider, dynamic sources told Cycling Weekly carries a degree of accuracy
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'dreaming' of taking yellow jersey on opening weekend of Tour de France
British rider hopes to play starring role in Italian Grand Départ
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I think I'll get the opportunity to go for a stage' - Geraint Thomas relishing support role at Tour de France
Former yellow jersey winner says this year's race "could be my last"
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Carlos Rodríguez to lead Ineos Grenadiers at Tour de France, supported by Geraint Thomas and Tom Pidcock
British squad will aim to "race aggressively and disrupt" at the French Grand Tour
By Adam Becket Published
-
21 things you didn't know about Tom Pidcock
According to the man himself, he's never had a hangover. It's alright for some.
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock adds extra mountain bike race to schedule, one week before Tour de France
Pidcock confirms he will race World Cup event in Crans Montana, Switzerland ahead of Olympic title defence
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
5 things we learned from the first week of the 2024 Giro d’Italia
The Italian Grand Tour is firmly underway and Tadej Pogačar is in the pink jersey. Here are our takeaways from the first week of action
By Tom Thewlis Published