Visma 'wanted to check my brakes' - Pogacar jokes about pre-race collision

Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) had a minor collision with a Visma | Lease a Bike team car before the start of stage 18 of the Tour de France, but remained in high spirits as he prepares for what he called 'D-Day' in the mountains

Speaking to ITV at the start line, Pogačar confirmed that the incident occurred while riding to sign-on, which caused him to crash, but made light of the situation.

"The news spreads fast, yeah we were going to the start line, of course the cars are also going and it was clear in front, we were cruising behind the car, maybe a bit too close, and then he suddenly, I don't know if he wanted to check my brakes, but I was not ready because I didn't see anyone in front, I didn't see the reason he needed to stop urgently," Pogačar explained. "It's ok, we're good."

The yellow jersey appeared completely unfazed by the incident, even joking that the sudden stop by his rival's team car might have been deliberate. 

Stage 18 looks set to be a pivotal stage in the GC, featuring three hors catégorie ascents, including a summit finish on the slopes of the Col de la Loze, and the Slovenian holds a 4:15 lead over Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike) in second place. 

When asked about Vingegaard's stated ambition to risk everything, including his second place in the general classification, Pogačar remained calm and composed. 

"I'm ready for him to go full, but risk everything, that's a little bit exaggerating, but risking 2nd place, ok I understand, but I think today they will try, it's the D-Day, the queen stage, and it's full on from start to finish," he said.