Pogacar stays confident and cautious heading into final week of Tour de France

Just one more week of racing separates Tadej Pogacar from overall victory in the Tour de France. On the rest day, he took ample time to speak with the press about the ongoing Tour de France and the last, grueling days. IDLProCycling.com was also there and asked the yellow jersey wearer about perhaps the toughest stage still to come, the nineteenth stage over the Col de la Bonette and finishing at Isola 2000. Pogacar appeared relaxed and looks ahead to the final week with confidence."

To begin with, the leader in the French three-week race addressed the desirability of the rest day. It obviously came at the right time for Pogacar, given his busy schedule. "The rest day was wonderful. We did a small lap with the team, and I got to see Urska for a bit. Don't tell my dietitian, but I had one of the best brownies I've ever eaten. I hope we finish the press conference soon so I can go watch some movies," Pogi began in a very relaxed manner, with a wink.

Pogacar enjoys competition with big teams, bond with Evenepoel, and rivalry with Vingegaard: "Also my highest values ever"

On Sunday, the second-placed rider in the race, Jonas Vingegaard, casually mentioned that he had the best day ever on the bike in terms of values. This made Pogacar's performance all the more remarkable, as he crossed the finish line a good minute ahead of the Dane. This meant a lot to the yellow jersey. "Sunday was one of the best climbing performances ever for everyone. When I looked at my own values, I was also shocked. I had my highest values ever while I was in the wheels of Matteo Jorgenson and Jonas."

Wow, so not only Vingegaard, but also Pogacar had his best day ever on the bike in terms of numbers. "It was a big day, we can see that Jonas came here in great shape, capable of competing for the win. Visma | Lease a Bike really had the guts to attack, hats off to them. In the end, it was a maximum effort from the bottom to the top, an insane day. Cycling is advancing so quickly. I don't want to speak badly about my own team, but when I came here five years ago, in my first Vuelta, it was almost amateurish compared to now. Everyone is pushing each other with tactics, nutrition, technology, altitude training camps, and training plans. Especially with Visma, INEOS, Lidl-Trek, and Soudal Quick-Step, we push each other to the limit. We're going to see this every year, these kinds of climbing performances," says a candid race leader. "For me, the change in the sport is really impressive."

Behind Pogacar and Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel is currently the clear number three. Pogacar and the Belgian haven’t raced together much yet, but they still seem to be good friends. Why is that, and what does he admire about the world time trial champion? "Actually, this is the first time we are really competing against each other like this. I think it’s brilliant that he doesn’t give a damn about other riders. He just does his own thing, a great champion. He has already won a lot. Finally, we are racing against each other in a Grand Tour. I have a lot of respect for him because he races with a lot of respect for others. I enjoy racing against him."

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Bonette stage doesn't cause fear, but makes Pogacar's eyes sparkle: "They are beautiful climbs"

The Tour de France is, of course, not over yet. In the final week, there are still plenty of opportunities to attack the yellow jersey. Pogacar thinks the competition will go for one big attack in one specific stage. "I think Visma | Lease a Bike will not attack on multiple days, but will choose one day out of Friday and Saturday. We have to ensure that they can’t do anything crazy. With as many men as possible from our strong team, we need to be at the front on the climbs. Jonas said he wouldn’t give up, and he won’t. There’s definitely going to be fireworks."

Continuing on these words, it seems likely that the attack will take place in the monster stage to Isola 2000. Pogacar has sometimes been less strong at high altitudes. Is he dreading the stage? We asked him, and he has bad news for followers hoping for the above scenario. "I love the Col de la Bonette. It’s magnificent. I’ve climbed it before; I actually love those high passes," he began. "I also know the descent to Isola; we have prepared for it for this Tour."

Expect a determined Pogacar. The environment will feel like home to him. "It’s a beautiful stage. I’m really looking forward to Friday. The climb to Isola is very good for me; it’s similar to the climb to Plateau de Beille," he referred back to the Sunday stage. After that, Pogacar will only get closer to home. "Starting Saturday, we’ll be riding on my home roads. I know that stage well, so I’m really looking forward to the weekend."

The Vuelta is not an option, but Pogacar does talk about ambitions in the Spanish race

It has long been a hot topic in cycling journalism, but if Pogacar wins the Tour, he will almost certainly not ride the Vuelta. However, the Slovenian seemed to enjoy being a bit secretive about the Spanish Grand Tour. "Let’s just say, this year there is a 99% chance I won’t ride it. Next year, the chance is much higher that you’ll see me there," he revealed a bit about his ambitions for 2025.

Finally, Pogacar briefly touched on the immense difference in form between 2023 and 2024, at least as he described it. "Last year, I started training for the Tour so late. I’m so much better than I was then. I still have to knock on wood, but this year is just going perfectly for me. I’ve felt good all year, and the calendar has really helped. It’s part of growing up as a rider, the development I’ve gone through this past year," he undoubtedly referred to his less packed schedule.

What can still go wrong in the final week? Pogacar mainly fears for his fitness and the illnesses going around in the Tour. "I'm not really afraid of anything; I think the last week is a very beautiful one. You just don't want to get sick, let's stay away from that. I also believe that if you're sick, you should stop. There's a lot of COVID going around, fingers crossed that I stay healthy in the final week," the so far almighty Pogacar concluded the press conference.