The well-known mind games

With a beret on his freshly coiffed head and infected by the euphoric fans, Tadej Pogacar appeared confident of victory. With a victory sign towards the crowds, the Slovenian rolled off the ramp at the famous Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. The clear message: Overall victory in the 110th Tour de France can only be achieved through me.

A good three hours earlier, the Slovenian, who was personally named the “new cannibal” of cycling by the great Eddy Merckx, had been unusually reserved. “Jonas is the top favorite for the Tour,” Pogacar said of his rival and defending champion Jonas Vingegaard. He also easily dominated the dress rehearsal, the Critérium du Dauphiné. “Afterwards he said that he wasn’t at his best yet. “Let’s see what he does on the Tour,” said Pogacar. There were certainly a few mind games before the Grand Départ on Saturday, but the 23-year-old didn't seem entirely convinced. “Jonas is the top favorite for the tour.” Tadej pogacar At the end of an outstanding spring, Pogacar broke his scaphoid bone in a fall at the end of April. It's still not completely healed. Although he doesn't have any problems on the bike, he estimates his mobility to be at best 70 percent. What’s also missing are the racing kilometers. He only has the Slovenian championships under his belt, which didn't really challenge him. How does this affect over three weeks on the hardest tour in years with over 55 meters of altitude? The superstar knows this as little as anyone else.

It will be a tough fight Vingegaard doesn't want to be seduced by Pogacar's flattery before the duel between the high flyers. On the contrary. “To be honest, I expect him to attack on the first stage. A bit like last year. I have to be ready for it,” said the Dane. The slim guy from Jutland's life has been turned upside down since his triumph. “But I’m still the same. That’s the most important thing,” emphasized the 26-year-old.

It will be hard, hectic, merciless. And from day one, most people don't even think about the eight mountain stages. There will probably be a few more crashes on the narrow Basque roads. This is as unavoidable on the Tour as the French longing for a homegrown winner. That won't happen this year either. Or to put it another way: So much has to happen for that to happen, it can't happen at all.

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The well-known mind games

One says about the other that he is the favorite. Shortly before the start of the 110th Tour de France, neither Jonas Vingegaard nor Tadej Pogacar want to see themselves as the hunted. However, the Dane probably has an advantage.

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