Home > News

Watch and listen to the moment Tadej Pogačar knew he had lost the Tour

The Slovenian was utterly defeated in the final climb in Stage 17

19-07-2023 Tour De France; Tappa 17 Saint Gervais - Mont Blanc - Courchevel; 2023, Uae Emirates; Soler, Marc; Pogacar, Tadej; Col De La Loze; Photo by: Sirotti
July 19, 2023
Share on SMS

Jonas Vingegaard took a significant step towards securing a second consecutive Tour de France title as his crash-affected rival, Tadej Pogacar, struggled in the brutal finishing climb on Wednesday.

Pogačar was dropped with 15 km to go on the Col de la Loze (28.1 km at 6 per cent). Vingegaard powered ahead, and made a solo move five km from the summit. Despite encountering delays caused by an organizer’s car and motorbike, he maintained his lead and never looked back.

The 10-second gap between Pog and Vingegaard has now ballooned into 7:35, all but sealing the race for the Dane.

Jumbo-Visma and UAE Team Emirates given additional anti-doping tests before Stage 17

“I have to say that this has been one of the worst days of my life on the bike. But I had to keep fighting, so Marc Soler really pushed me to my limit and we made it to the finish,” the Slovenian said after the race. “I don’t know what happened, I got to the end of the climb really empty, all the food I ate today didn’t go to my legs. A big disappointment. If I recover, I’ll try to win the stage on Saturday.”

Tadej Pogačar teaching Mikkel Bjerg how to say croissant is absolutely hilarious

There are times when pro cyclists can get dropped and then power back. Sometimes, if there are a flurry of attacks riders can get into a groove and make it up the rest of the climb without losing too much. If they find they own pace they can prevent too much damage.

But when a rider is done, he knows it. And Pog knew when he told his team.

“I’m gone, I’m dead,” the former Tour champion says to his team over the radio. Watch the dramatic moment below.