Pogacar criticizes Visma and “defends” Vingegaard, Van Aert responds

After yesterday’s stage, Pogacar explained what happened in the early phases of the race when, after Vingegaard’s crash, some Visma riders tried to break away, catching the Slovenian by surprise. The world champion said he did not understand his rivals’ strategy and even “defended” the Dane, since in his opinion Vingegaard could still win the Tour, while Visma seemed more focused on stage wins.

These were Pogacar’s words to TV2, Danish television, followed by Van Aert’s reply:

“There was a moment when many general classification riders, including Jonas, were left behind. Yet there were three Visma riders up front. Tim and I tried to calm things down so that Jonas and the other GC riders could catch back on, but suddenly Wout van Aert jumped out of the group, followed by Victor Campenaerts and Matteo Jorgenson. I didn’t know what to think.

I simply joined the group so they couldn’t all get away together. Maybe I helped Jonas in doing that? I thought it was a strange situation. If I were in Jonas’s shoes, I wouldn’t be the happiest at the dinner table tonight. Because I still think he can win the Tour. He’s second in the general classification and on Saturday he showed he’s in great shape. I understand they want to win stages, but they could also win the overall Tour de France. I don’t know. But I wouldn’t be too happy about it.”

Wout Van Aert responded to Pogacar’s comments, trying to put out the controversy:

“Luckily it doesn’t bother me, nor anyone else in the team. At least, I don’t have that feeling. But it’s rather funny that Tadej says that. It was also very clear that UAE Emirates XRG wanted Tim Wellens in the break. They did exactly the same thing. And looking back at that situation with Jonas’s crash, I think the solution would have been really simple. With 25 riders, we were trying to get into the break.

If Tadej had simply slotted into the group where Jonas was, that would have been truly sporting. Now he complains about something that isn’t really there. We just wanted to race for the stage win. Everyone who was there at that moment was trying to get into the break. I think that’s perfectly normal.”

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