It would have taken that .5% less out of him that maybe was the difference, after almost 300 km, between mounting a response to MVP's attack and just watching him ride away. And then MVP would have gone 500 meters or so from further down the climb, so would have had to hold the chase off longer. This, too, may have been the difference between getting over the top alone or with company (as he only had a 2 second advantage at the top of the Poggio).But what do you think would happen then?
Van Der Poel could attack nevertheless..
He or Van Aert could attack on the downhill...
He could also wait for the sprint, and Van Aert too...
Bigger group could form...
What I'm asking is how do you think slowing down would benefit Pogacar?
In any case, insisting Pog only gauranteed himself no defense. The best Tadej could have hoped for was being their for the finishing sprint, but the way he rode took him out of any chance of that happening, in my opinion.
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