'I did it with pleasure' - Pogacar explains why he became Del Toro's luxury domestique

From the upper slopes of the Col du Galibier, UAE Team Emirates-XRG's focus was crystal clear, and that was helping Isaac del Toro hold on to third overall and the white jersey over Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM), who trailed the Mexican pre-stage by 24 seconds.

Rather than chasing a stage victory, Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) assumed the role of luxury domestique, setting a strong but controlled tempo that reduced the general classification group to Del Toro, Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious) and Seixas while ensuring his young Mexican teammate remained comfortably in control.

Decathlon CMA CGM attempted to turn the tables on the Col de Sarenne, where Nicolas Prodhomme and Matthew Riccitello delivered a fierce mountain leadout to launch Seixas. 

However, deep into his debut Grand Tour, the French teenager’s resources were running thin. Shortly after his attempt to crack Del Toro, it was the Mexican champion who launched a devastating counter-acceleration, which saw Seixas distanced.

Pogačar immediately stepped back into his role as luxury domestique, anchoring the select group with Evenepoel and Martinez before pacing Del Toro all the way to the finish, even allowing Evenepoel to ride clear on the final rise to Alpe d’Huez rather than jeopardising his teammate's podium position.

The duo would cross the line together, 1:05 behind Carapaz, mission complete as they all but secured the yellow jersey, the white jersey, and the first and third step on the final podium in Paris, with Pogačar producing a perfect performance as teammate. 

"It was an honour to ride for Isaac during that last hour and a half," Pogačar said post race. "I did it with pleasure, and now I realise just how hard it is to work for someone else. Being able to cross the finish line together on Alpe d'Huez is memorable."

Pogačar insisted his selfless display was a chance to repay Del Toro and the rest of the team for their efforts across the three weeks of racing.

"There will be a lot of talk about my work at the front now, but don't forget that Isaac helped me get into the yellow jersey here. Just like my entire team did.

"Nils Politt and Florian Vermeersch rode on the flat sections; Tim, as road captain, was everywhere alongside Felix Großschartner; Adam Yates sacrificed himself, as did Brandon McNulty. You can't overlook all those days and the work they put in."

Pogačar will formally seal his fifth Tour de France title on Sunday's final stage in Paris, which has been shortened after organisers removed the 44-kilometre run-in from Thoiry because emergency services were redeployed to help tackle major wildfires in southwestern France. 

Twelve months ago, Pogačar duked it out with the absent Wout van Aert (Visma | Lease a Bike) on the Montmartre circuit in its inaugural inclusion, ultimately coming up short to the Belgian. 

"I won't take any risks, but Wout [van Aert] isn't here this time. That's one less rival, at least," Pogačar said. "That stage isn't a major goal, but if I feel good and don't have to take risks, I might give it a shot."

Ahead of the final stage in Paris, Pogačar leads Evenepoel by 6:26, with Del Toro in third at 9:42. Seixas remains in fourth at 11:56 in his Grand Tour debut.