Pogacar sees key difference between Vingegaard now and previous Tours

Tadej Pogačar claimed his fourth stage victory of the 2026 Tour de France after another decisive attack left Jonas Vingegaard unable to respond.

Vingegaard had spent a long period setting the pace at the front of the reduced group on the Col du Haag. The Visma | Lease a Bike leader pushed hard, but Pogačar remained composed before launching his own acceleration with less than two kilometres remaining before the summit.

The Slovenian later said the numbers on his bike computer showed just how demanding Vingegaard’s pace had been.

“If my power meter was showing the right numbers when I looked down while he was pulling, he was producing an incredible performance,” Pogačar said after the stage at the press conference.

“Jonas is really good, but I think he is missing something.”

Pogačar believes the difference between them is small. However, he also feels Vingegaard is not currently reaching the same level he showed during their battles in previous editions of the Tour.

“I think Jonas is missing a little bit compared to the last few Tours,” he said.

“He is there and he is really strong. I think he knows that as well, but I also think he knows he is missing that little punch.”

“It is a very small percentage. Then he is there with me.”

Visma and Decathlon CMA CGM controlled much of the climb, while UAE teammate Isaac del Toro was struggling behind. Pogačar therefore had little reason to move early and instead watched the riders around him before choosing his moment.

With less than two kilometres remaining before the summit, he accelerated. Vingegaard was unable to follow.

“I expected that he probably would not be able to stay with me,” Pogačar said.

The manner of the attack again underlined the difference between the pair. Vingegaard was able to sustain a punishing tempo, but when Pogačar changed the rhythm, the Dane had no immediate answer.

Pogačar nevertheless believes the longer climbs later in the race could produce a different type of battle.

“Maybe he will get an extra boost on the longer and harder mountains, such as Alpe d’Huez,” he said.

“Maybe he drops me there. You never know.”

Those climbs may offer Vingegaard more time to impose a sustained effort, rather than having to respond to one explosive acceleration. For that reason, Pogačar is not treating the contest as settled.

“I definitely do not rule him out for the days ahead,” he said.

“He is really strong. He is only missing a little punch.”

The apparent ease of Pogačar’s attack was reinforced by television images that seemed to show him smiling as he rode away. It was an expression that quickly drew attention, particularly after another stage in which his rivals had been unable to follow.

Pogačar insisted the expression had been misinterpreted.

“When I am suffering on the bike, I do this,” he said while demonstrating it during the press conference.

“People think I am laughing, but that is simply what my face looks like when I am suffering and still feeling good.”

“That smile is not there when I am completely empty.”

His condition had been very different two days earlier. Pogačar admitted that he had struggled badly on stage 12 and had needed a mental reset before returning to his best.

“I felt like shit,” he said.

A conversation with his fiancée, Urška Žigart, helped him regain his energy and motivation.

“I was already a little better yesterday, but after a mental boost I felt amazing today.”

That change was visible on the road. Vingegaard produced one of his strongest climbing efforts of the race, but Pogačar still had the acceleration to turn another mountain contest into a decisive victory.