Stefan Küng took second place at stage five time trial of the Tour de France 2021 just 18 seconds behind Tadej Pogačar with Küng saying he was happy with his ride, even though he didn't win.
The Groupama-FDJ rider came into the stage as joint-favourite alongside Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) and it did look like, at least for Küng, that it was heading in that direction.
But Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) really put out an amazing statement to decimate the field and take the stage win, but not the yellow jersey which was held onto by Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix).
Speaking after the stage, Küng said: "I kind of felt like if I'm going to be beaten by less than 10 seconds then maybe it could have been possible [to win], but I think everybody thinks like that when he crosses the line, although 18 seconds [is a good gap].
"I had a really good ride and did a really good performance. I was on top, I knew what I had to do. I've just been beaten by a stronger rider today. So hats off to Tadej [Pogačar]. And I'll fight back in the second TT.
There was a plethora of amazing time trial talent on the start ramp today, including Van Aert as well as Kasper Asgreen (Deceuninck - Quick-Step) and Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma), but the latter was holding some nasty injuries from his stage three crash.
Küng said he did see Pogačar as more of an outsider for the stage but he was focused on other riders and his own effort.
"No, honestly, I was more scared of Wout van Aert because he reminded me a little bit of Tirreno-Adriatico when I was sitting in the hot seat for a long time as well. And then he came last and he beat my time," Continued the European time trial champion.
"Tadej kind of was on my radar a little bit, but then I don't focus on other riders."
Küng did lose contact with his team car just before the second split and was riding the rest of the stage on his own really. But, Pogačar reportedly had the same issues in a similar part of the course.
"Maybe it would have been an advantage to have the intermediate time checks. But then I gave my maximum and hats off to him.
"Luckily, there's a second TT which might suit me a little bit better and I hope that he's gonna get a little bit tired during this Tour de France and then I will try to do my best."
The second time trial of the race comes right at the end on the penultimate day of the race, stage 20, Libourne to Saint-Emilion over 30.8km and another undulating course.
In the meantime, Küng will return to looking after his leaders of Arnaud Démare and David Gaudu in the sprints and mountains to come.
Tim Bonville-Ginn is one of Cycling Weekly's content writers for the web team responsible for writing stories on racing, tech, updating evergreen pages as well as the weekly email newsletter.
Bonville-Ginn started working in cycling journalism while still at school and university for a voluntary site based on Twitter before also doing slots for Eurosport's online web team and has been on location at the Tour de Yorkshire, Tour of Britain, UCI World Championships and various track events. He then joined the Cycling Weekly team in late February of 2020.
When not writing stories for the site, Bonville-Ginn doesn't really switch off his cycling side as he watches every race that is televised as well as being a rider himself and a regular user of the game Pro Cycling Manager.
He rides a Specialized Tarmac SL4 when out on his local roads back in West Yorkshire as well as in northern Hampshire with the hills and mountains being his preferred terrain.
-
-
Leaked contract shows Manuela Fundación tried to buy Mitchelton-Scott for €7 million
The failed takeover of the Australian squad, now called Team BikeExchange, caused confusion in June last year
By Jonny Long •
-
'I hope he doesn't think I'm some fanatic weirdo': Man fulfils promise to get Mark Cavendish tattoo if he won another race
Paul James has paid homage to the sprinter's comeback with a tattoo of the Tour de France green jersey winner
By Jonny Long •
-
How do the Tokyo 2020 Olympic time trials work?
The race against the clock is a highlight of the games, but what are the rules?
By Alex Ballinger •
-
'It’s been a nice run, but it’s time': Richie Porte says 2021 edition was his final Tour de France
The Australian leads his national team into the Olympic Games road race on Saturday
By Richard Windsor •
-
Mark Cavendish beats Tim Merlier to sprint victory in post-Tour de France crit
The British sprinter was on the podium again in the lucrative exhibition race in Flanders
By Alex Ballinger •
-
From Dulwich Park to Paris: The story of Fred Wright's debut Tour de France
The 22-year-old Brit, 'a child of the Herne Hill community', was the youngest rider in this year's race
By Jonny Long •
-
Health issues could force Dave Brailsford to step down as Ineos Grenadiers boss
The 57-year-old has been treated for cancer and heart issues over the past couple of years
By Jonny Long •
-
How much prize money did Tadej Pogačar get for winning the Tour de France?
There was around €2.3 million up for grabs in this year's race
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Mark Cavendish rues leaving Mørkøv's wheel on Champs-Élysées, but will he ride another Tour de France?
Cavendish remains on 34 wins but is all smiles as he wins green jersey in incredible comeback
By Jonny Long •
-
Tour de France 2021 team ratings: how did each team perform?
We rate the performances of each of the teams in the 108th editon of the Tour de France
By Stephen Puddicombe •
