Pogacar concerned after chaotic Tour finale but eyes climbing weekend

After spending most of the day comfortably protected by his UAE Team Emirates-XRG teammates, Pogačar was forced to stay alert when Lidl-Trek launched a series of late attacks across the rolling terrain.

“It was all calm and good until Trek started to attack,” Pogačar said after the finish in Chalon sur Saône. “Then it was a bit hard in the final. But everything was good on our side, I think.”

Pogačar stayed out of trouble and crossed the line with his advantage intact. His attention after the finish, however, quickly turned to the riders who had crashed during the sprint.

“I saw how many guys crashed in the final,” he said. “I hope they are all good.”

One of the riders caught up in the crash was Fernando Gaviria, who, like Pogačar, lives in Monaco. The Slovenian said Gaviria had been riding strongly before he went down.

“Fernando was riding really well, and I was really disappointed to see him on the ground,” Pogačar said. “I hope everybody else involved in the crash is okay.”

Although there was relief at having completed another stage safely, Pogačar was already looking towards the more demanding terrain ahead.

Friday’s stage presents an unusual challenge, with a category one climb appearing late in the route. It is not an obvious summit finish or a straightforward day for the general classification contenders, which could make the racing difficult to predict.

“Tomorrow’s stage is a bit of a weird one,” Pogačar said. “But we will have to go through it.”

The Slovenian appeared more enthusiastic when discussing the weekend. Saturday and Sunday will bring longer climbs and tougher terrain, offering the leading contenders an opportunity to test each other again.

“Then Saturday and Sunday are more nice stages, I think,” he said with a laugh.

Pogačar has already studied some of the decisive roads. He completed reconnaissance rides with teammate Isak del Toro and believes that knowledge could prove useful when the race reaches the climbs.

“I did some recons with Isak,” he said. “We did them together. I know those roads quite well, and we will see. I am looking forward to it.”

There was also a heartwarming scene after the stage, as Pogačar spent time with the family of stage winner Tim Merlier.

Merlier’s young son, Jules, joined his father after the Belgian claimed his third stage victory of the Tour. The grandson of legendary Belgian cyclist Frank Vandenbroucke later had his Soudal Quick-Step jersey and cap signed by Pogačar, giving him two special souvenirs from a memorable day.