Road to Granon and the Tactics Behind the Tour de France Narrative
It wasn’t a random idea. It wasn’t a one-off moment from the previous team bus meeting before a scene began. It seemed more like a tactic that didn’t land, a misstep in the round, and a reminder that planning can collide with reality. The tale centers on Tadej Pogacar on July 13, 2022, and the road to the top of Granon, a route that was studied more intensely than any cycling ascent in memory. Not only cycling minds were consulted; experts from other sports, including football coach Erik ten Hag, who once sat on the Ajax bench and later moved to Manchester United, weighed in on the approach.”
The Jumbo-Visma team, chasing Pogacar, had endured mixed results in prior Tours. In 2020, Pogacar dominated the Planche des Belles Filles time trial after Primoz Roglic faltered, and in 2021 the victory leaned toward Jonas Vingegaard, who was then too young to wear the yellow after Roglic’s dramatic crash. The dynamic was clear: Pogacar’s ascent owed as much to preparation as to the timing and execution of each move, with the Dutch squad facing the challenge with a blend of patience and precision.
dutch television
Dutch public broadcasting later revealed a look at Jumbo’s strategic setup, suggesting the plan to topple Pogacar began six months earlier in the Alps. A figure described as a wizard or a strategist met in Amsterdam, raising questions about how cross-disciplinary methods inform cycling decision-making. The interviewer asked: what is the basis for planning a match, before drawing up a single tactic?
After listening, there was a sense of data-driven clarity. It was explained that the team brought together all sporting directors and consulted stars about the ideal blueprint to win the Tour. The idea echoed a football mindset: coaches vary tactics and players by match, so the same flexibility could be applied to Paris in yellow. The selection of Roglic as the central figure in 2020 hinted at a broader strategy: Vingegaard was positioned to claim the main prize in the end, if the opportunity arose. (Source: Dutch television report, 2022)
The spring brought a candid moment from Pogacar, when he spoke about his own weaknesses on long climbs. Revealing vulnerabilities in a podcast can ripple through an organization like Den Bosch Jumbo, where the footage is often circulated and interpreted. The impression given was that Pogacar could be vulnerable on lengthy ascents, a concern that influenced how rivals framed their plans.
The verdict from that period suggested Pogacar excelled on short, explosive climbs such as La Superplanche des Belles Filles or Peyragudes, where he could outpace rivals in a sprint. But long routes with sustained climbs provided a different test. Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C were laid out—Granon as the main plan, with Alpe d’Huez and Hautacam as contingencies. In the end, Plan B and Plan C were not required, as Vingegaard and team execution shaped the outcome. (Attribution: Team strategy discussion, 2020–2021)
Roglic’s figure
The comparison with football showed up again. Similar to a coach pulling a tactical switch at precise moments, Roglic’s role rose in importance as a figure who could alter momentum. He faced rough moments on cobbles after a fall, yet his class remained evident, challenging Pogacar on the Alpine terrain. In moments, Roglic attacked, and Vingegaard answered, repeating the push-and-counter dynamic that defined the late stages. Yet the critical lapse came when energy management faltered—skipping meals or water during the climb’s peak—turning a potential surge into a drama that ultimately delivered the yellow jersey to Vingegaard. (Cited from the Roglic narrative in 2020–2021)
It was a reminder that in grand tours, timing, stamina, and follow-through matter as much as raw speed. The Granon stage became a case study in how a team’s plan might evolve during a race, with Plan A holding firm and the others serving as a safety net should variables shift. The result was a complex dance of strategy, where data, cross-sport insights, and on-the-ground execution intersected to shape the final standings. (Observations drawn from race analysis and post-race commentary)
In the end, the story of Granon highlights the tension between preparation and the unpredictable nature of elite cycling. It underscores how teams blend analytic rigour with human judgment, adjusting plans as climbs unfold and conditions change. The narrative demonstrates that a Tour de France campaign is less a single breakthrough moment and more a living, breathing plan that adapts to the riders, the route, and the road ahead. (Summary of race strategy and outcomes)