Tadej Pogačar, the two-time Tour de France champion, is preparing for a dramatic final week in this year's race as he aims to close the gap on current leader Jonas Vingegaard. The Slovenian star, riding for UAE Team Emirates, has shown flashes of brilliance but faces a tough challenge in the mountainous stages ahead.
The Battle for Yellow
With just days remaining in the gruelling three-week event, Pogačar trails Vingegaard by over a minute in the general classification. However, the 24-year-old remains optimistic about his chances, particularly in the high-altitude Alpine stages where he's historically excelled.
Key Stages to Watch
- Stage 17: A brutal 166km route featuring the Col de la Loze
- Stage 20: The decisive individual time trial in the Vosges mountains
"We've still got some cards to play," Pogačar told reporters after Monday's rest day. "The Tour is never over until Paris."
Tactical Considerations
Analysts suggest Pogačar may need to adopt more aggressive tactics than in previous years, possibly attacking earlier in stages to put pressure on Vingegaard's Jumbo-Visma team. The Slovenian's superior time trialing ability could prove crucial in the final showdown.
Meanwhile, UAE Team Emirates has strengthened their squad with climbing specialists, hoping to support Pogačar's bid for a third Tour victory. The coming days promise edge-of-the-seat racing as the world's best cyclists battle for supremacy in the sport's most prestigious event.
