The Tour de France organisers wanted 'suspense to the end' but the Tourmalet stage design backfired dramatically – and they should have seen it coming
Cyclingnews • • sports
Key Points:
- Tour de France race director Christian Prudhomme promised "suspense until the end," but after six stages, Tadej Pogačar holds a nearly three-minute lead, making it unlikely the yellow jersey will change hands soon.
- The race organizers placed major high-mountain stages, including the Alps and a double ascent of Alpe d'Huez, toward the end, while the Pyrenees appeared early due to the Grand Départ in Barcelona, maintaining tradition.
- Stage 6 featured iconic climbs Col d’Aspin and Col du Tourmalet, but a long descent and gentle final climb were intended to prevent large time gaps—however, Pogačar exploited this terrain to extend his lead dramatically.
- Pogačar gained 2:38 on Jonas Vingegaard by capitalizing on his superior descending and solo riding skills, turning what was meant to be a controlled stage into a decisive moment that significantly impacted the general classification.
- Organizers and route designer Thierry Gouvenou acknowledged they underestimated the time gaps Pogačar could create, with comparisons drawn to a similar scenario two years ago, highlighting Pogačar's exceptional strength and versatility.
