Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) approaches a 4th coronation on the Tour de France. If the Slovenian was once again impressive this Tuesday during the 16th stage on the slopes of Mont Ventoux, won by the Frenchman Valentin Paretrere (Sudal Quick-Step), however, he knew how to manage his climb and the numerous attacks of his rival very well Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma | Lease A Bike). Striking and well helped by a team that this time showed itself higher than that of Slovenian, the Danish has put everything in place to wave Pogacar. But the latter, relentless, never flinching and even allowed himself to recover two seconds to Awesome in the very last meters. In the general classification, he is always more than 4 minutes ahead of the Danish, before the last two mountain stages of Thursday and Friday.
“I saw Paret-Peintre on arrival, he was so happy … It was beautiful to see”
After the arrival, he returned to his performance: “Today, Jonas (Vingegaard) really tried everything. Their collective was very strong, they really climbed very quickly. But fortunately, I did not have the same legs as in 2021, so I am happy with this day and this good performance. I was able to defend the yellow jersey as I imagined this morning. I was at the limit at times, we are still suffering, but it was only one of them, It was really a difficult day, especially after the day of rest..
He continues on his real stage victory ambitions today, when he did not seem to give everything to win it: “The truth is that this step did not interest us so much. But it is true that in the end, with the acceleration of the Visma, we got very close to the leading group. We might have caught them if Jonas or I had accelerated again, but it's like that. They deserved to play victory”. He concluded on the winner of the day, Valentin Paretrere : “I saw Paret-Peintre, we were in the locker room together before the ceremony. He was so happy, he called a friend or someone else … It was beautiful to see”he concludes.
