'We had to take the opportunity' - Pogacar adapts plan to sweep Tour spoils

The towering finishing sprint came after Del Toro had produced a remarkable lead-out on Pogačar’s behalf in the finale, hitting the front of the reduced yellow jersey group beneath the flamme rouge.

When Del Toro eventually swung off within sight of the line, Pogačar unleashed a fierce acceleration that carried him clear of Jonas Vingegaard (Visma Lease a Bike). The two-second gap at the finish and the winner’s time bonus were enough for Pogačar to take yellow from his rival.

In his flash interview before the podium ceremony, Pogačar paid tribute to Del Toro’s contribution to the 22nd stage win of his astonishing Tour career.

“Look, it’s because of him, it’s because of Isaac today,” Pogačar said. “I get some extra power I think in the final. He committed more than 100% in the final climb. I mean, all the team did, actually. In the middle of the stage, we decided that it’s possible to go for the stage win. I’m really, really happy that we started the Tour like this. Incredible finish today.”

Stage 3, which brought the peloton from Spain into France by way of the Col de Toses offered the break a fighting chance of surviving to the line, but the direction of travel was clear when UAE Team Emirates-XRG took up the reins at the head of the bunch. Pogačar’s gift-giving at this Tour will be limited to teammates. 

Alex Baudin (EF Education-EasyPost), the last man standing from the break, was brought back with a little over 11km to go. UAE briefly surrendered the lead at the base of the short final climb before Del Toro surged to the front to tee up Pogačar’s inevitable winning effort.

Pogačar reached for levity when it was put to him that he was hungry for more victories in a season that has already yielded 14 wins from just 18 race days.

“I’m not so hungry. I eat every 30 minutes, one gel, so I’m not so hungry,” Pogačar smiled. “But no, if we can win, like we did today, and the team feels super good, then we have to take the opportunity. We tried, we gave it our all, and we won.”

Pogačar is back in the yellow jersey, albeit locked on the same time as Vingegaard, while Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) is third at 23 seconds. It remains to be seen if Pogačar will now seek to defend the jersey for the entirety of the next three weeks, but he is the clear favourite to wear it again in Paris.

“To take the yellow jersey is a dream for any cyclist of any age,” Pogačar said. “For me, I don't know how many times it is, but every time I can get it again on my shoulders, it feels really special. I don't know for how long this will last. We try to enjoy every moment.”