Stage 7 TDF 2022 Blog: the Finish is in Paris not Here
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“The finish is in Paris, and not here…so we stick to our plan.” Those were the words of Jumbo Visma Managing Director Richard Plugge after the stage.
The last UAE domestique at the front on Stage 7 was Rafal Majka, then Pogacar led up the steep gravel section towards the finish. He didn’t ride away from everyone else. Vingegaard stuck to Pogacar’s wheel, then attacked and passed the Slovene, and got a small gap. Pogacar fought back and passed Vingegaard just before the line.
That means Pogacar got a 10s win bonus, Vingegaard 6s, and Roglic 4s for third place. Geraint Thomas lost 14s.
Pogacar’s lead over Vingegaard in the GC is 35s.
The Breakaway
Earlier there was a reasonably-sized breakaway group. The last survivors were Geschke, Teuns, Kamna and Durbridge. At the start of the final climb the advantage was 1min32.
Kamna was the strongest of the breakaway and still had 47s at the old finish line. He was swamped on the steep gravel road to the ‘super’ bit of the Super Planche des Belles Filles, and came in 14s behind the winner in fourth place. Kamna will have another chance before the end of the race.
Looking Ahead
Pogacar is looking strong, but Vingegaard is still quite close on GC. There haven’t been any really long mountain days yet, just climb-sprints that suit Pogacar.
Pogacar isn’t way ahead yet – maybe he will be, but not yet. Jumbo and the other teams need to keep making UAE ride, keep tiring them out, and keep challenging Pogacar and keep tiring him out.
Roglic looks good but is 2min45 down. Jumbo have Roglic as a card to play – send him up the road and make UAE chase.
Everyone wants the race to stay close and exciting for as long as possible.
I already know how Pogacar reacts to everything seeming easy and to winning; I want to see how he confronts adversity and defeat. It will be good for him, and make him a more rounded person.