Tadej Pogačar’s confidence only continues to grow in the Tour de France 2021, as he asked ‘why should I be worried’ ahead of the upcoming time trial.
Pogačar claimed his second consecutive stage victory in the mountains on day 18, once again outsprinting Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) and Richard Carapaz (Ineos Grenadiers) to take the day.
There is just one test separating Pogačar from his second Tour de France title, as he must defend his five-minute advantage in a 30km time trial on stage 20.
When asked if he had any fear heading ahead of the time trial, Pogačar said: ‘Why should I be worried?
“It’s a discipline I always want to do my best in and give 100 per cent. Sometimes you can have a really bad day in a TT. It will be a new experience and I can’t wait.”
Pogačar was untouchable again on stage 18 on Luz Ardiden, marking out moves from his rival and eventually attacking himself to take his third stage win of this year’s race, after victory in the stage five TT and the summit finish on stage 17.
After the mostly flat course on day 20, just one general classification test remains before Paris, a 30.8km, mostly flat, TT from Libourne to Saint-Émilion.
With 5-45 to his nearest rival Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma), Pogačar looks to have the race sealed, but there are no guarantees in the Tour de France.
In last year’s Tour, Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) lost a one-minute advantage and the yellow jersey to Pogačar on the stage 20 time trial, in one of the most remarkable Tour de France turnarounds in memory.
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When asked if the same could happen this year, Pogacar said: “Let’s hope not, but maybe. You can lose six minutes on a TT. It’s happened before, but I feel confident.”
