Tour de France press conferences on days like stage 10 are fairly unusual affairs. There was little or no to speak about, with there being no breakaway, no moments of hazard, solely a routine bunch dash which resulted in Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) profitable.
It was, in reality, a boring day in the midst of France – kilometres from the precise, correct center of metropolitan France – even Philipsen himself acknowledged this, joking that maybe it was a stage to sleep by.
At the least Philipsen received. For the race chief, Tadej Pogačar (UAE Crew Emirates), the person in yellow, it was a nothing day. Blink, and also you missed it. Nothing modified. 33 seconds forward of Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Fast-Step) in Orléans, 33 seconds forward of Evenepoel in Saint-Armand-Montrond. Nothing modified, however 187.3km had been raced.
The Slovenian nonetheless needed to undergo the rigmarole of the rostrum process, the combo zone, after which the most important ache of all, talking to the print media. He put a courageous face on it, after which the bombshell got here.
I’m, personally, a fairly hirsute man. I’ve had a moustache, nearly completely, since I used to be 23 – whereas I am no Magnus Cort, my “beard” is current, even when it isn’t Simon Geschke ranges.
Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike), the defending champion, is presently attempting to develop a moustache, though he has an extended option to go: “I don’t have a lot capabilities of rising a moustache, however I’m attempting a minimum of,” the Dane mentioned of his new-found expertise.
Pogačar, in the meantime, is aware of his limitations. The Giro d’Italia, two-time Tour de France, Tour of Flanders, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège winner could be one of the best bike owner on this planet, relying on the way it’s judged, however he’s unable to make his prime lip bushy. Poor Tadej.
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“I did not see it, sorry,” he mentioned of Vingegaard’s facial hair. “I can’t develop a moustache. This 12 months, I’m shaving far more than final 12 months. However I am utterly clear shaven.”
Pogačar, at 25, is shaving greater than he did final 12 months, which is sort of one thing. At 25, I may develop a beard, however then I’ve by no means received a WorldTour race. Totally different strokes for various people.
Away from the facial hair discuss, stage 11 to Le Lioran ought to show extra of a problem to Pogačar, Vingegaard and the remainder of the GC contenders. The rolling Massif Central day is just not the toughest day of the race, however ought to present ample proof of the place the riders are at.
“I really feel actually good going into this second week,” Pogačar mentioned, for his half. “I actually just like the Pyrenees, I’ve received rather a lot there. I just like the locations there. Then I’m actually wanting ahead to the ultimate phases in Good, near my dwelling. This Tour, I need to say, I’m actually joyful, and likewise goes properly up to now.”
As regards to Vingegaard, his nice rival, there was an understanding that the Dane could be getting higher, though Pogačar nonetheless thinks he’s forward of the person who has overwhelmed him within the final two Excursions.
“I’ve a fairly good sense and likewise I see my very own numbers, and up to now… the time trial we went tremendous quick, San Luca [in Bologna] was tremendous quick, Galibier we additionally did a file time,” he mentioned. “I feel he is in actually good condition, and for certain he’s getting extra assured for the ultimate half an increasing number of. We are going to see within the Pyrenees I feel.”
The extra testing phases wait, however for now, a minimum of we all know that Tadej Pogačar cannot develop a moustache. I win this one.
