Lack of food and early attacks behind Tadej Pogačar's Alpine nightmare
Yellow jersey loses minutes as he cracks on the Col de Granon
![Tadej Pogačar](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/U7NeVoJzDHtvzVkJKedkNU-415-80.jpg)
Tadej Pogačar lost his grip on the Tour de France yellow jersey on Wednesday due to an ill-timed effort and lack of food.
The defending champion ceded two minutes and 51 second to the new leader Jonas Vingegaard after a dramatic day’s racing in the Alps that terminated on the brutal Col de Granon.
It means that the Slovenian now sits third overall, 2.22 behind Vingegaard but with another savage day to come on Thursday when the peloton tackles the Col du Galibier again and then finishes atop Alpe d’Huez.
Pogačar told assembled media after the stage: “Maybe I was under-fuelled today or I just had a bad day. Everyone always has a bad day [sometimes]. I felt good until the final climb but it’s far from finished, the Tour.
“I got attacked by Jumbo-Visma. They played it well today [and] tactically they did a really good job. In the last climb it was difficult, but we will see tomorrow. I want revenge. The Tour is not over.”
The 23-year-old was solemn upon arriving back to his team’s bus having descended the Granon with his fiance Urška Žigart. Masked-up, Pogačar kissed his fiance and then proceeded to apologise to staff members.
His teammate Marc Soler confirmed theories that Pogačar didn’t eat as well as he could have done. “I think he maybe saved some food because of the speed on the Galibier, but personally it doesn’t worry me because is he is a great rider and there’s still a lot of the Tour left.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
“Like every day we have been working hard to have the [race] leader and we have left a little bit of distance [to Vingegaard] to keep playing going forward.
“We only tried to keep yellow, to be calm and we wanted a good rhythm. Jumbo wanted to try [something], and at the beginning it seemed that everything was OK. In the end, occasionally these things can happen, no?”
UAE Emirates' team manager Mauro Gianetti further explained how the day did not go to plan.
He said: “[The plan was that] in a good condition Tadej would attack [and] play the game with Vingegaard to show he is very strong. Today Vingegaard made the difference [because] he was stronger. He left some energy for the last four or five kilometres to make this big difference.
“I am very proud all of the team and Tadej. Maybe he did too much of an effort on the Galibier. He was forced to do a lot on the Col du Télégraphe , and probably this power [effort] is what he [had planned to leave] in the legs for the last four or five kilometres.
“Jumbo, today, did a very good tactic. They are an incredibly strong team, and our team is with two riders less, which of course makes it more difficult.”
Like Pogačar, Gianetti remained bullish about his rider coming from behind to win the Tour.
“There is still a week-and-a half in the Tour. Of course Vingegaard and Jumbo showed today they are very strong, but we’re here. We will enjoy this Tour until the end, thinking and believing it is possible. We know it will not be easy but we need to play our game.”
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
A freelance sports journalist and podcaster, you'll mostly find Chris's byline attached to news scoops, profile interviews and long reads across a variety of different publications. He has been writing regularly for Cycling Weekly since 2013. In 2024 he released a seven-part podcast documentary, Ghost in the Machine, about motor doping in cycling.
Previously a ski, hiking and cycling guide in the Canadian Rockies and Spanish Pyrenees, he almost certainly holds the record for the most number of interviews conducted from snowy mountains. He lives in Valencia, Spain.
-
Star triathlete Taylor Knibb to take on world's fastest cyclists in the Olympic time trial
Colorado-based 26-year-old Taylor Knibb will be representing Team USA in both the individual time trial and triathlon at the Paris Olympics.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
Ellen van Dijk 'can't unclip from pedals' after breaking ankle, but will still race Olympic time trial
'Walking is more difficult than cycling,' said Dutchwoman who fractured ankle six weeks ago
By Tom Davidson 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
-
Primož Roglič reveals he suffered back fracture in Tour de France crash
Slovenian abandoned race after being caught up in crash on stage 12, Vuelta a España participation now in doubt
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
-
'A bigger result than winning': Jonas Vingegaard hails second place at the Tour de France
It turns out second place is not always 'first loser'
By James Shrubsall Published
-
'Even if I never come back to the Tour de France I will be satisfied': Tadej Pogačar revels in third victory
Three Tour de France wins before turning 26, the Giro-Tour double, the suggestion of a triple crown. Records tumble for the Slovenian
By Adam Becket Published
-
Remco Evenepoel: No one should doubt me anymore
The Tour de France's third-placed finisher suggests that he will have to reduce his time trial work if he is to beat Tadej Pogačar
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Tadej Pogačar: 'There will always be doubts... but cycling is the cleanest sport'
Tour de France champion addresses critics, saying it would be "super stupid" to dope
By Adam Becket Published
-
How Tadej Pogačar created history and won the Giro d'Italia-Tour de France double
A journey that was supposedly fraught with risk and uncertainty was anything but for Giro d'Italia and Tour de France victor Tadej Pogačar
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published