Tadej Pogačar hails 'golden age of cycling' after blitzing Tour de France rivals
The yellow jersey heaps praise on rivals but says he might just be better than ever
![Tadej Pogačar wins stage 19 of the Tour de France](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nS8XYFNhckQsdwKeDnmWsc-415-80.jpg)
Tadej Pogačar praised his rivals and hailed a golden age of cycling, after winning stage 19 of the Tour de France at Isola 2000 in impressive style.
The UAE Team Emirates rider attacked the group of favourites with 8.6km left of the finishing climb, passing stragglers from an earlier break to catch and pass lone leader Matteo Jorgensen (Visma-Lease a Bike) with 1.8km to go.
It puts him a near-unassailable 5:03 ahead of Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) going into the final tough two stages.
Speaking about the rivalry between the pair after the stage, Pogačar said: "I have a ton of respect for Jonas. I wouldn't wish for a better rival. I think with Jonas, Primož [Roglic] and Remco [Evenepoel], this really is a golden era of cycling.
"I can even say that myself and I'm enjoying these battles between each other."
Pogačar added that he enjoyed watching them race when he wasn't there – although that is probably more about spotting weaknesses and insights rather than fandom.
"This also motivates me and it's super good to see, and it's super exciting cycling," he said.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Pogačar was also asked about his own comments declaring that he was his old self again, and conceded that this latest version might be even better or, at the very least, "one of the best me".
"I think I'm a little bit better than the old me," he said. "I'm more experienced, I don't make too many mistakes. If you're anxious in the race this is super bad, and this year I was never under stress I was always in control of my own mind."
This was helped, he said, by the fact that he took the lead so early on stage two, giving him confidence, motivation, and allowing him to ride "with almost no pressure" throughout the last week.
"We will evaluate the numbers afterwards but for sure this is one of the best me," he smiled.
Pogačar had certainly prepared well for today's stage. He described riding the final climb to Isola 2000 15 times during a pre-Tour training camp, and the white knuckle descent of the Cime de la Bonette that preceded it on the stage "four or five times".
When he said, "I had pretty good knowledge of the roads today," it was almost a quip.
Whichever version of himself he might be, it's certainly a fastidious one. And, perhaps, a golden one too.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
After cutting his teeth on local and national newspapers, James began at Cycling Weekly as a sub-editor in 2000 when the current office was literally all fields.
Eventually becoming chief sub-editor, in 2016 he switched to the job of full-time writer, and covers news, racing and features.
A lifelong cyclist and cycling fan, James's racing days (and most of his fitness) are now behind him. But he still rides regularly, both on the road and on the gravelly stuff.
-
Tom Pidcock takes MTB World Championships bronze as Alan Hatherly wins rainbow jersey
South African upgrades Olympic bronze, with Paris silver medallist Victor Koretzky finishing second in Andorra
By Flo Clifford Published
-
Cian Uijtdebroeks withdraws from Vuelta a España with Covid-19
Young Belgian struggled early in the race but looked back to his best on Saturday's stage 14
By Flo Clifford Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers director of racing Steve Cummings left out of all three Grand Tours in 2024
Team’s director of racing will not be included in on the ground Vuelta a España management group
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mark Cavendish set to end his career at Tour de France Singapore Criterium
Event will be Cavendish's final appearance for Astana Qazaqstan after he won a record-breaking 35th Tour de France stage in July
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Remco Evenepoel in line to race Tour of Britain after Olympics success
Time trial gold medallist could feature for Soudal Quick-Step during six day event in September
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tadej Pogačar broke 288 Strava KOMs during Tour de France victory
Slovenian won his third Tour title in Nice last weekend, and picked up a host of new trophies on Strava
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Primož Roglič reveals he suffered back fracture in Tour de France crash
Slovenian abandoned race after being caught up in crash on stage 12, Vuelta a España participation now in doubt
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
It's time to stop expecting so much of Ineos Grenadiers at the Tour de France
The British team are always under pressure to match their past best, but it’s not going to happen anytime soon
By Adam Becket Published
-
'A bigger result than winning': Jonas Vingegaard hails second place at the Tour de France
It turns out second place is not always 'first loser'
By James Shrubsall Published
-
'Even if I never come back to the Tour de France I will be satisfied': Tadej Pogačar revels in third victory
Three Tour de France wins before turning 26, the Giro-Tour double, the suggestion of a triple crown. Records tumble for the Slovenian
By Adam Becket Published