I am shocked he showed up to race this. I also think it's time for me to adjust my expectations for Pog. I was a pretty early fan of Pog's and I'll admit I bought hook, line and sinker into the Pogacar mania. I just believed in his ability to do things no pro outside of the Cannibal should be able to do.
I am a pretty objective person but it got so bad that I honestly believed Pog would still win the Tour by a minute or two going into Stage 17. I thought he'd just runaway from Viney on the penultimate climb of Stage 17. I'd thought he'd put 5 minutes into him that stage, despite only having 3 teammates and no indication that he could break Viney. I also thought he'd show up today and beat fresh legs like Remco.
So I guess I am starting to face reality that Pog is not the new cannibal that I thought he is. I still think he's an immense talent, possibly the best in the peloton but not the super all time great I thought he was. I guess I am still stunned by Vingegaard's Tour performance. I have just never seen a guy come from nowhere 3 years ago to beating someone like Pog by 3-4 minutes and the others by 8-25 minutes like that. Honestly, a few years ago, what was Vingegaard winning? Even in March/ April, Pog rode by Vingegaard like he was sitting still. You watch the Tour and you think, how will Pog ever beat Vingegaard--- a rider who came from virtual obscurity a few years ago.
I am still just trying to figure out what happened during those 3 weeks in France because I've been following this sport since the late 90's and I've never seen anything like Vingegaard's Tour. Vingegaard never seemed even close to having a bad day. Who doesn't have a bad day in a 3 week bike race? Even Pog had a bad day on Mont Ventoux. It'll be an interesting few years in the Tour because I have no idea how Pog beats the Danish Machine. Then again, I feel silly talking up a rider who at age 25 just won his major bike race.