Tadej Pogacar extended his lead in the Tour de France with another imperious solo victory on stage 10 to Le Lioran, showcasing his dominance in the Massif Central. The Slovenian now leads the race by more than three and a half minutes over rival Jonas Vingegaard, who struggled on the challenging climbs.
Over a stage featuring seven categorized climbs, including the first-category Puy Mary Pas de Peyrol and Col de Pertus, Pogacar launched a trademark attack on the penultimate climb that shattered the peloton. His latest triumph, however, was met with some boos from the roadside crowd, reminiscent of the reception given to Team Sky and Chris Froome nearly a decade ago.
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Pogacar's Response to the Boos
“I have haters and haters gonna hate,” Pogacar said after the finish. “To all the booers who are there, they just give more boost to my teammates. They put wood on the fire.” He clarified that 99% of fans are supportive, but drew inspiration from tennis star Novak Djokovic for overcoming doubters. “I always think about Novak Djokovic and the great mentality he has because he has had one of the toughest careers getting boos and unnecessary hate because he is the greatest,” Pogacar added.
Impact on the General Classification
While Pogacar extended his lead, his UAE Team Emirates-XRG teammate Isaac del Toro lost time in the fight for the podium. Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel replaced del Toro in third place, while Vingegaard finished 12 seconds adrift. Vingegaard admitted he struggled on the short climbs but remained resolute, though he recently revealed he considered walking away from the sport a year ago due to burnout.
| Rider | Time Gap | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Tadej Pogacar | Leader | 1st |
| Jonas Vingegaard | +3:30 | 2nd |
| Remco Evenepoel | +3:42 | 3rd |
Key Takeaways from Stage 10
- Pogacar's dominance continues with a third stage win this Tour, extending his overall lead.
- Vingegaard's vulnerability on short, explosive climbs was exposed, raising questions about his form.
- Evenepoel's rise to third place signals a shifting dynamic in the podium battle.
- Fan reactions highlight the polarized response to Pogacar's aggressive racing style.
FAQ
Why did fans boo Tadej Pogacar?
Fans booed Pogacar due to his overwhelming dominance, similar to the treatment of Chris Froome and Team Sky in the past. Some spectators prefer more competitive racing.
How much is Pogacar's lead in the Tour de France?
Pogacar leads by more than three and a half minutes over Jonas Vingegaard after stage 10, with Remco Evenepoel in third place.
What did Jonas Vingegaard say about his performance?
Vingegaard acknowledged he struggles on short climbs but was not too despondent. He also revealed he considered retiring from cycling a year ago due to burnout.