He lingered near Carcassonne, calculating routes and outcomes for a range of objectives. Danish cyclist Jonas Vingegaard approached the Pyrenees as the obvious favorite, ready to defend the yellow jersey with resolve and precision. Slovenian star Tadej Pogacar arrived with ambition to shake the lead, while Spanish contenders plotted a partial retaliation, hoping heat would tilt the balance in their favor. The tenth place overall contender aimed for a notable victory, using the heat as a strategic ally to open doors on the steep climbs.
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The rest day in May was met with a mixed reception by the riders of the Tour. After two exhausting weeks of racing under rising temperatures, fatigue was visible on many faces. All teams were cleared through Covid checks on Sunday evening, and some, including Movistar, faced anti-doping blood tests administered by the UCI as part of routine monitoring.
Calculations about stage profiles, climbs, and time gaps dominated discussions. Strategic plans were debated at every turn. Some teams sought to defend their current positions, such as Jumbo-Visma with Vingegaard wearing yellow. Others, like Pogacar’s UAE Team Emirates, explored options to regain ground and reclaim Slovenia’s recent success on the grand tours. Still others studied ways to secure a podium finish or at least a stage win to demonstrate momentum heading into the closing stages.
The Pyrenees would be the first true test for several riders as the race moved into the second week. The field would turn in the opposite direction for the initial days after the rest day, challenging climbers and time trial specialists alike. Vingegaard managed to reshape the dynamic at Granon, seizing control and preventing Pogacar from slipping away, maintaining a comfortable margin while preserving team cohesion around the yellow jersey.
Despite the setback in the earlier mountain battles, Vingegaard remained calm. He demonstrated leadership and a willingness to rely on a strong supporting cast, a tactic that complicated the plans of UAE and others who needed to counter his steady pace and disciplined execution. Pogacar, though weakened, remained determined. The 23-year-old had shown resilience after a hard fall at Granon, insisting that his objective was still to write a memorable chapter at the Tour, including victory in Paris if possible.
On the horizon, the Peyragudes and Hautacam days promised a duel between two teams: Jumbo-Visma and UAE. Both sides faced the practical challenges of fatigue, potential Covid-related setbacks, and occasional crashes that can reshape the competition in an instant. The race landscape suggested a hard-fought contest in the mountains, with opportunistic riders ready to pounce when confusion arose on the descents or in regrouping stages. The outcome would hinge on smarter decisions, better rhythm, and the ability to endure heat and physical strain while protecting essential advantages in the general classification.