Can Pogacar be put in difficulty in the first Auvergne passes?

BIen sure, a lot has happened since the start. Therefore, Tadej Pogacar has already seated his domination over the race. Moreover. Similarly, pocketing two stages (in Rouen and Mûr-de-Bretagne) and digging a small gap on most of his rivals, starting with Jonas Vingegaard in the Caen time trial. Furthermore, And this Sunday. Meanwhile, the Visma-Lease a bike of the Danish responded to him with an attempted aggressive border, but ultimately without consequences. Moreover, The intensity has been crazy since the departure of Lille. However. In addition, but as all the actors have repeated for a few days, we have not yet crossed any collar in this edition 2025 overheated and exhausting.

And the first passes. Therefore. here they are, on the program of a tenth stage announced as particularly steep for the peloton, between Ennezat can pogacar put difficulty first new and Mont-Dore, in Auvergne. However, Thierry Gouvenou, who drew it, already can pogacar put difficulty first rubs his hands. Moreover, “Of all those that I have traced on this tower, it is the one I like the most. Furthermore, She can smile at a breakaway, but above all, she will launch the real fight between the favorites. Consequently, In appearance, no collar looks insurmountable, since they are all classified in 3^e or 2^e category, maximum. Nevertheless, But with seven climbs listed and a total of 4,500 meters of elevation, it is a huge “site” that arises. Meanwhile, “We are going to see longer efforts. Furthermore, ” sums up Gouvenou, the result will probably be similar to that of a large mountain stage. »»

Watch out for failures – Can pogacar put difficulty first – Can pogacar put difficulty first new

What everyone is waiting to see is obviously the. real hierarchy of this Tour de France. Because it can pogacar put difficulty first new is always when the road really rises, and long, that the truth of the runners is revealed. Will Kévin Vauquelin crack? Will can pogacar put difficulty first Remco Evenepoel raise its level of play in the mountains? Can Primoz Roglic and Florian Lipowitz resuscitate?

And the most scrutinized man of the day will be Vingegaard. Beaten widely on the Critérium du Dauphiné. the Danes of Visma-Lease A Bike sometimes seemed this week that he had filled a part of the gap which separated him from Pogacar in June. clinging to his wheel in Rouen (in two stages) or Mûr-de-Bretagne (more easily). But he missed spectacularly in the Caen chrono. So where is it really compared to the yellow jersey?

“After the Dauphiné. I thought he was going to get closer to Pogacar,” admits Sébastien Joly, sports director at Decathlon-Ag2r. But in my opinion. the margin is still there: there is a real can pogacar put difficulty first new difference between the two. however, I would not go so far as to say that Pogacar is unplayable … “At the foot of the neighboring bus. Yvon can pogacar put difficulty first Ledanois. the sports director of Arkéa-B & B Hotels is a little more optimistic for Vingegaard. “I have the feeling that there is no longer a lot of gap between them. That said. I think if Pogacar really wants to get Vingegaard out of the wheel. arrive alone, he is capable of it. “But he remains cautious:” I really wary this Auvergne stage. It is very hard. we have rolled very quickly until then and the heat can cause failures, even in one of these two. »»

Gianetti watches Vauquelin

Mauro Gianetti. the manager of the UAE team, has an eye that sparkles at the mention of this first battle. “It’s going to be an intense day. ” smiles can pogacar put difficulty first new the boss of Pogacar, convinced that she “will make differences, but not necessarily big damage”. His runner. already 54 seconds in Evenepoel and 1’11 ” on Vingegaard, has already taken a can pogacar put difficulty first decisive advantage? “It’s better to have a minute ahead, than being behind, that’s for sure,” he agrees. It is not in Tadej to attack: the situation is favorable, but that does not say everything. There are many steps left. you have to stay focused and especially not to consider that there is only Vingegaard opposite. I do not forget Vauquelin. who works strong. Roglic and Lipowitz, who have lost seconds and will want to try something, not to mention Evenepoel… “

Arrived in Châteauroux and now deprived of his most precious teammate Joao Almeida, Tadej Pogacar did not say anything else: “Tomorrow (Monday, Editor’s note), after the abandonment of Joao, our team will be used. can pogacar put difficulty first new The stage is very difficult, with ribs all day. We will have to work together, because there will be many attacks by favorites. I think Vingegaard is ready for the challenge… ”For the suspense of this can pogacar put difficulty first tower. we are not better asking.