Only a single rider in yellow can survive the brutal heat and intensity of the Pyrenees duel. The stage is set to paint the race in the brightest Tour colors, crowds filling the trenches of the route, passion overflowing, warmth everywhere, a moment that could decisively tilt the balance. Years pass between the leader and the stubborn runner who never quits, never surrenders.
This Monday, a bold statement echoed: “I’ll attack with all I’ve got.” The star is Tadej Pogacar, the cyclist considered the sole open challenger to win before the first flag drop, the rider who dominated the opening days and dictated the early pace. A fatal misstep came when Granon’s ease was forgotten, opening a door for Jonas Vingegaard to seize Paris’s triumph.
In more than three decades, nothing has matched this tension. Generations of Tour legends—Miguel Indurain, the dirty doping era, Lance Armstrong’s wandering, Alberto Contador’s bold campaigns, Chris Froome’s persistence—appear briefly in memory, as a reminder that the yellow jersey story remains unpredictable. The favorite’s path to Paris has rarely looked so fragile, except for a rare accident or a rare disqualification that reshapes the narrative.
To recall the fiercest modern duel, one must reach back to the late 1980s when Greg LeMond and Laurent Fignon battled for the title. Fignon fought back after Pedro Delgado’s Luxembourg prologue exit, and LeMond’s relentless drive kept the pressure on. Those memories still glow with the Segovian’s dramatic climbs, the Pyrenees daunting with mounts like the Tourmalet, which shaped a race that year. Today, a different chorus emerges, with headlines echoed by the British press’s Tour specialists and a chorus of voices from around the sport.
more memories
Yellow was worn with pride for a few days, and the legend of Fignon lives on as the race concluded in Paris with a last-day sting that left the home crowd breathless. The spectacle, the drama, the relentless chase—these moments define the Tour as it returns to a city’s crown within every season.
In the face of incoming challenges, the defending plan unfolds. Vingegaard is seen as the rider with the responsibility to respond, while Pogacar is labeled the must-attack figure in every stage. The crowd in Carcassonne pushes the energy upward as the rider’s team rhetoric rings out: go full gas, break away if needed, and manage the time cushion carefully. Pogacar carries roughly a two-minute advantage on some days, a buffer that can be decisive in the climbers’ finale.
Péguère’s wall
The race swings into the Pyrenees with a long, punishing stage that tests both legs and nerves. The climb known as Péguère’s wall becomes a defining moment, a place where the race has historically shaken out with dramatic strategy. Attacking Pogacar would demand a personal time trial of 27 kilometers from Foix, a test of stamina and precision that could alter the overall standings. The rest of the week promises classic routes, tough terrain, and a climb toward Lourdes that keeps the tension high.
“It should ride on Pogacar’s wheel until the yellow jersey pops,” says Pedro Delgado.
Analysts note that a false move by Vingegaard could give Pogacar the edge, while the Dane’s best effort could still be enough to close the gap. The ultimate plan is simple in theory: isolate the yellow jersey on the final climbs of the Pyrenees’ last two stages, then rely on a strong finish. Pogacar remains the favorite for many observers, yet Vingegaard has shown explosive power that can neutralize a surge. The debate continues among former riders and current commentators alike, with Oscar Pereiro offering his view: Vingegaard can concede seconds now if it means a bigger gain later, while Pogacar has the potential to reduce the deficit in crucial time trials before the finish line. A late 40-kilometer challenge could seal the outcome for Pogacar, Pereiro suggests, if the margins are tight.
“Vingegaard’s mistake would be to spend more time with his opponent,” adds Óscar Pereiro.
Even with a potential duel at the summit, Enric Mas keeps faith in a bold plan from the Jumbo and the UAE teams. The race reach the crucial week three, when fatigue climbs, and the field is more exposed to slipstreams and missteps. The tactics become a balance of defense and opportunism, with the leader’s team guarding the margin while others seek openings in the pack’s chaos.
Make a game!
Pogacar admitted this week that Granon’s episode was a turning point. A supply bag with unused gels and water bottles was found, prompting questions about preparation and resilience. The team’s dependable riders—Sepp Kuss, Wout van Aert, and others—stand ready to back Pogacar in a duel where every second counts. In the background, Catalan climber Marc Soler and Polish rider Rafal Majka watch the backline, prepared to exploit any gap or to reinforce a partner in a head-to-head battle for a coveted Parisian crown. The challenge is clear: every move matters, and the race invites bold choices at every turn.