Tour de France Tour de France 2025 Stage 19: Albertville-La Plagne (93.1k) ‚Historic day, magnificent racing‘ ~ Rob Hatch, probably

[dobrien]

Along with the backloading of the mountains, it's certainly possible Visma hammering the first part of the race with their strategy to tire out Pog is finally having an impact. Problem with that is how to do it without frying themselves as well?

Pog has had a long, amazing season already, he is still human.

 

[Danskebjerge]

There is nothing quite like suspense ebbing into an anticlimax

Perhaps, but the only real GC suspense in this Tour was the risk of illness or crashes.

 

[Kazistuta]

No blame, just lost respect.

He should have sat on Pog wheel in the end. Kept his dignity.

But still he tried to win it like a coward.

He wouldnt have lost respect if he had tried something earlier and raced for it.

That's exactly what Pogacar has done a few times this tour, but it's not okay for Vingegaard to do it? I don't get why the reasoning changes when it's your own countryman - disappointment perhaps?

 

[Squire]

Lenny Martinez somehow managed to hang on to 11th on the stage.

 

[E_F_]

If Pogacar wasn't as good as he is, MSR and P-R this year would have been a lot less interesting.

And LBL and RvV would have been a lot more interesting. And possibly the Tour. And Worlds, and Lombardia... And the Vuelta, probably.

 

[Jan the Man]

You think last year was better than this year?

As a whole yes last year he wins

Giro - 6 stages
Tour - 6 stages
LBL
Worlds
Lombardia
Strade
Volta a Catalonia

Also Podium MSR

If he wins worlds and lombaedia then this year is comparable given his performance in Roubaix but beating last year is tough without a second GT

 

[madthebad]

If Pogi showed more panache ,like on Hautacam for example , he would have won this TDF by 10 minutes . To me he looked very bored during this last week , I think he would have even gifted today's stage to Vingegaard just for fun and laugh about it with the UAE boys later at dinner , he was in a gifting mood lately , could have won 3-4 more stages but decided to make some friends in the peloton .

 

[pelotonIQ]

That's exactly what Pogacar has done a few times this tour, but it's not okay for Vingegaard to do it? I don't get why the reasoning changes when it's your own countryman - disappointment perhaps?

Except Tadej always puts in his fair share of work to bridge the gap towards the head of race, Jonas doesn't.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

That's exactly what Pogacar has done a few times this tour, but it's not okay for Vingegaard to do it? I don't get why the reasoning changes when it's your own countryman - disappointment perhaps?

One more time for the cheap seats, you get to do that if you're holding the yellow jersey. If you do it when you're 4 minutes behind, you look goofy.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Jonas Rickaert 46th today, is this his GC transformation?

 

[Tim Cahill]

That's exactly what Pogacar has done a few times this tour, but it's not okay for Vingegaard to do it? I don't get why the reasoning changes when it's your own countryman - disappointment perhaps?

Same tactics, other way round

I thought it was a fine to do last year as it was today, only Vingegaard stuffed up the execution.

 

[Kazistuta]

One more time for the cheap seats, you get to do that if you're holding the yellow jersey. If you do it when you're 4 minutes behind, you look goofy.

Not because you're wearing the leaders jersey, but because it's the wise thing to do. There's a difference.

 

[topcat]

I think I imagined Vingegaard's attack 80k out yesterday judging by the posts on here, a mirage.

80 metres not kilometres

 

[Rackham]

If Pogi showed more panache ,like on Hautacam for example , he would have won this TDF by 10 minutes . To me he looked very bored during this last week , I think he would have even gifted today's stage to Vingegaard just for fun and laugh about it with the UAE boys later at dinner , he was in a gifting mood lately , could have won 3-4 more stages but decided to make some friends in the peloton .

Except Rog of course, for reasons.

When Rog attacks, it's all UAE hands on deck, Wellens on the front and drill it hard in the rain.

 

[bah]

of course , Pogi exposed him for what he is , that guy doesn't ride like a proper champion , very disappointing .

It kinda just sounds like you're disappointed Vingegaard didn't pull Pogacar to the victory.

 

[kingjr]

And LBL and RvV would have been a lot more interesting. And possibly the Tour. And Worlds, and Lombardia... And the Vuelta, probably.

LBL wasn't interesting because Evenepoel wasn't fit. You're never going to get a season where all the races are interesting, anyway. Pogačar make some races more interesting, others less.
He's not killing cycling, he is killing your interest in cycling because your favourite riders don't get to win.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Very underwhelming final week. The race was over the moment Pogacar destroyed Hautacam.

 

[oronet commander]

You really don't.

Pogacar was not willing to lose it to Vingegaard.

Vingegaard was not willing to lose it to Pogacar.

So why the hell does all the blame fall on Vingegaard?

Because Pogacar pulled and Vingo wheelsucked…

 

[madthebad]

Same tactics, other way round

I thought it was a fine to do last year as it was today, only Vingegaard stuffed up the execution.

it's all about context . Last chance to leave this TDF with something in your pocket and you decide to suck wheels until the last 200m of the last mountain stage . It's not right or wrong just dissapointing from a double TDF winner.

 

[E_F_]

LBL wasn't interesting because Evenepoel wasn't fit.

No. Remco never stood a chance.

 

[kingjr]

No. Remco never stood a chance.

Like he stood no chance at Amstel Gold Race?

 

[E_F_]

Pogačar make some races more interesting, others less.

He makes two races more interesting (tops) and kills all intrigue in every other race. What a bargain!

He's not killing cycling, he is killing your interest in cycling because your favourite riders don't get to win.

Sure... You're the expert, I guess!

 

[Red Rick]

Same tactics, other way round

I thought it was a fine to do last year as it was today, only Vingegaard stuffed up the execution.

Forgot about this one.

This one is a great reason in the first place to not give him anything this year. Tactical decisions have consequences even in the future.

You think Carapaz is gonna be inclined to help Del Toro next time he has a 50/50 decision?

 

[Rackham]

Because Pogacar pulled and Vingo wheelsucked…

Pog is yellow jersey. It used to be quite a usual sight in the Tour to see the yellow jersey pulling a group up a col. He's the boss, it's his job.

 

[madthebad]

It kinda just sounds like you're disappointed Vingegaard didn't pull Pogacar to the victory.

if Pogi wanted to win the stage he would have won it , he seemed he didnt care that much though , his bag is full for this year . Probably he got disgusted with Vingegaard's attitude during the first 3 Arensman attacks and said " ok , you don't want to win the stage , I will chill and let you suck my wheel " . Just exposing Vingegaard for what he is , in my opinion Pogi let him embarass himself.