No full card in the Pyrenees for Tadej Pogacar ! This Saturday, the carrier of the yellow jersey was not far from succeeding in the hat and obtaining his 5th victory in two weeks of racing on this 112nd edition, but he and his team UAE Team Emirates-XRG came across a bone named Thymen Arensman (Ineos grenadiers) in the final of this 14th stage between Pau and Luchon-Superbagnères. Member of the breakaway which came out in the Costaud in the Tourmalet, the Dutch man made a superb solo number in the last 30 kilometers to resist the return of the favorites and the Slovenian world champion. Obviously less in legs, the latter was content to follow the attack on his rival Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | lease a bike) before dominating it in sprint a little more than a minute after the winner.
“I did not have fiery legs to counterattack vinggegaard”
Not enough to tarnish this rainy day but without a hitch to Pogacarwhich confirms his yellow jersey with 4'13 “now in advance on the Danish.”I am very happy with this day“He said in a protocol interview after the race.”We were close to a stage victory, but Thymen Arensman was really strong today, and he fully deserves this victory, hat to him. We can be satisfied with our passage in the Pyrenees. Today, we have made a great step, riding at our own pace all day, with an incredible Politt Nils. It was a very difficult day because of the weather and ascents. In addition, the breakaway left only at the Tourmalet, so the first 70 kilometers were very fast. Then, the descents were a little frightening, especially that of the Tourmalet“He explained before returning to his duel with Awesome.
“Jonas tried today, and he was really strong. In fact, I expected him to attack a little earlier. Once I managed to counter his two offensives, I understood that I did not have fiery legs to counterattack and give everything until the arrival. This is why I chose to control the stage, stay in your wheel, and sprint at the end. We have already had several mountain stages, and it is probably the strongest that I saw it in the Pyrenees. I am sure he will continue to attack me in the Alps“He said.
“Evenepoel? I hope he will recover quickly and that he will come back … But not stronger”
Finally, the boss of this Tour 2025 returned to the big event of the day among the podium contenders: the abandonment of Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step), in perdition in the Tourmalet. “”It is sad that Remco Evenepoel had to abandon the tour. I do not know exactly what happened to him, but we discussed yesterday because it should not be taken away by everything that surrounds him in the media, and that he had to remain focused on the present moment. In cycling, you never know how we are going to wake up. I send him all my support, I hope he will recover quickly and that he will come back … but not stronger (laughs)“, the conclusion Tadej Pogacar.
