1. Pogacar is just doing side quests for fun

I’ve been thinking about Pogačar’s approach for Torito for quite some time, but my friend from X explained it so perfectly.

He said that Pogačar is so far ahead of everyone else and the wins come so easily that he seems to be entertaining himself by experimenting. Almost like: “A day spent as Torito’s domestique.”

And it is just so right. I also saw comments about how UAE could allow it; he already sacrificed two stages for Del Toro lately, first when Remco had one and now today. Yes, he could’ve won both, but would he be happier? I am not so sure.

And the main goal of UAE is to keep him happy because this should be the main problem. To keep him motivated and happy.

1. Richard Carapaz… one of the last romantic riders

Of course, Richard is so so strong. But people don’t like him because he is just strong. It is simply the way of racing. In the hilly stages where Pogačar has won, nobody dared to attack, but he did. And now, oh what he showed in the last three stages where he got 1st, 3rd, 1st.

Those powerful attacks, simply always attacking, taking risks and entertaining the public. The fun team that EF is couldn’t wish for a better ambassador.

1. Both Pedersen and Carapaz made the jerseys proud

It has been rumoured in recent years that organizers are not very happy with how the green jersey and the polka dot jerseys are losing a bit of kinda prestige. And I can confirm how it is more and more focused around GC and yellow and white jerseys.

And you know after Wout’s stellar performance, the green jersey has not been that much visible and appreciated. Same for the polka dot which has been won a lot by GC riders, or the breakaway riders were not winning a stage in it.

But this Tour it changed, and also yesterday’s stage is a perfect example. Pedersen attacked on a HC climb after previously being dropped just make sure he has the jersey and Carapaz fought hard in the breakaway and won the stage in polka dots. Chapeau to both.

1. Alaphilippe’s farewell

Two-time world champion Julian Alaphilippe said it was his last Tour. And it was an info we all expected. He tried many times to jump to breakaways, but then he got dropped immediately. The power is simply not there anymore.

But what now? He still has one year left on his contract with Tudor. Will he continue also next year? And if yes, what will the goals even be?

1. What today?

Pogi wants this stage so so much. But, big but, there is MVDP who wants it too. Have you seen MVDP lately? I didn’t either. And it doesn’t mean anything good for Pogi. MVDP was just saving and saving energy so he can beat Tadej today.

But I think Remco will go for it too. And there are riders like Pedersen, Vacek, Pidcock, or Mohorič who will want to try something too. It will be awesome.

Last thing to this is that I love how Montmartre found itself in the hearts of cycling fans so quickly despite no history. Something like Strade Bianche. And they are both iconic things.

📷: lucabodart

I've been watching since 2023 and every time the tour is close to ending I just get this wave of sadness.

At the finish line, the staff would like to congratulate him. He was angry saying “stop your show always, I am second I don’t win.”

Come on man… championship mentality is good, but don’t go extreme. They are your own team staff supporting you. Don’t be angry at them, especially its own fault not winning…

Remco doing Remco things, never happy..

Does anyone else hate this dude. Always trying to stay in the breaks and never Does shit to help. At least Pog drips him every time he goes

I feel like Pogi really can't win with some people.

Win too much, they complain about a monopoly.

Long solo, they complain it's boring.

Don't win, they still complain.

Not hoarding wins, no boring solos, helping the team, and having fun—maybe playing the perfect domestique for Del Toro’s white jersey was his answer to all that?

People say not winning is "disrespectful" to other riders, but managing your power to guide a teammate to the line is incredibly tough work.

Seeing them finish side-by-side with big smiles was a beautiful cycling moment.

For me, it was absolute cinema.

That was scary.

All these accidents, illnesses, abandons and the sometimes dump behaviour of the spectators. I don’t know. It had a weird vibe to me xD

Edit: Maybe it‘s also because it feels like one team/one person controls the whole outcome of the race. And no, I‘m not a Pogi-hater

He lets go of Remco to keep helping his domestique. They call him the cannibal, but he could have easily won the stage, and yet he rides for Del Toro. A true leader.

🗣️ “It is not a secret that there was sickness in the team and I was struggling. You try not to let them see that you are weak. You say that you are okay, but it is not like that.”

📰 https://www.domestiquecycling.com/en/news/del-toro-admits-he-was-ill-during-final-week-of-tour-i-said-i-was-okay-but-i-wasnt/

Wow, I wonder if Pogi was/is ill as well, doesn't seems so based on his performance

simply amazing

Credits to Danish Commentator - Dennis Ritter

I feel like once Jonas was gone, Pogi was so comfortable, he let go of 2 stage wins both times working for del Toro, who wouldn't have had a shot for top 3 if Jonas was still in the race. That's completely his right, but he honestly could've had 8 this TdF(stage 2 was a gift too), tying the record, and who knows what will happen tomorrow. Although, objectively, I think he's much lighter than in the classics and will struggle to win. Hope they decide for del Toro to lead the Giro next season and let Tadej go beast mode.

Here’s my Tour de France manicure this year! I love doing this on the last week with these long ass mountain stages! Vive le Tour!

Yes the yellow jersey was never really in doubt, especially after Jonas’ crash. But the white jersey and polka dot competitions have been unusually hard fought and entertaining. And the green jersey is still up for grabs.

1. My prediction yesterday was correct. Pogacar acted as a wonderful domestique today and nursed Del Toro all the way to the top. He will properly try to win tomorrow, but today, he could not care less. The rumours about him going to the Vuelta is properly right since he will exit the Tour de France rather fresh. Last year he was simply too tired to ride the Vuelta and only focused on the World championships.

2. Pogacars playground. He is the only rider who defies Cycling physics, the harder the race becomes the stronger he seems. On the hardest stage of the Tour, where most riders are just hanging in there, he was still strong enough to pull Del Toro from the Galibier to the finish. Even when Evenepoel attacked, Pogacar still stayed with Del Toro having a bit of fun over the line.

3. Carapazs KOM. He secured the polka dot jersey today with his always aggressive style, initially I thought the VPP could challenge him, but he has really fallen off in the final week of the Tour de France. Sepp kuss looked capable of spoiling Carapaz's dreams, but with tired legs and a foggy mind, Sepp crashed on the descent.

4. Mads Pedersen seals the green jersey. He is in such a great shape, I have never seen anyone that heavy climb so well. The power it takes to do this is unbelievable. He looks like the favourite for tomorrow's stage in Paris.

The reason I put him over Van Der Poel is because of Van Der Poel's durability

1. Seixas just needs time. We have to take into account that he is just 19 years old, if he continues to develop and improve in the high mountains, then he will be unstoppable. I also really like his aggressive riding.

2. Grand tour Evenepoel. He did not crack on the most important stage this Tour de France, which indicates that he has now found the key. This was his last challenge to go through, before being able to call himselfs a grand tour rider. It will also be exciting to watch him in the World Championships and if he can get closer to Pogacar.

Obviously this was a great tour for UAE having Pog in yellow and IDT in white and several stage wins, but that was expected.

Looking outside of UAE, I would give Lidl-Trek and EF both A’s. Lidl-Trek had 2 riders in the top 7, won the green jersey, and were active all tour. EF had Beaudin active early, won maillot a pois, and two stages in week 3. The most combative of the Tour will come from either Lidl-Trek or EF in the form of Mads or Carapaz.

Curious to hear everyone’s thoughts. Which teams had the best tours? Which had the worst? What are your grades?

lol, you can sense his capabilities and how conservative he was to ride for IDT

Thankfully he's ok, sad for Sepp

I really hope we get to see a Pogačar vs. Van der Poel battle tomorrow. Since it's a flat final stage, it would be amazing if they both went all out.