Highlights: Pogacar crushes opponents again in Stage 10
Video courtesy: TNT Sport
The 166.6km Bastille Day stage from Aurillac to Le Liorent was one of the toughest tests of the first half of the race, featuring a series of climbs across the Massif Central including Puy Marie and the Col de Perthus, before Tadej Pogacar launched a decisive attack to take victory and tighten his grip on the yellow jersey.
Pidcock, racing for the Pinarello-Q36.5, was among several riders to suffer crashes during the tricky stage.
The Briton said he lost traction on a bend where sections of the road had been treated with a white coating designed to protect the asphalt from extreme temperatures.
After crossing the finish line, Pidcock said he got caught in the treated sections of the road and lost control in a corner.
“I didn’t expect this. I guess I don’t know what they’re doing with the roads here. When they clean them, they cover them with white crap and they’re really slippery.” – said Pidcock.
“So I just fell in the middle of the corner and I had to chase him. I don’t think it affected us too much in the end.”
While the crash did not appear to derail his race on Tuesday, Pidcock’s comments highlighted another problem created by the extreme heat affecting Le Tour this year. 
Watch ‘unusual’ incident: Pidcock crashes on descent
Video courtesy: TNT Sport
The road treatments are intended to preserve racing surfaces, but the incident has raised questions about whether the measures could create new dangers for racers pushing their limits at high speeds.
The white coating applied to areas of asphalt is designed to reduce the effects of extreme temperatures by reflecting sunlight and preventing pavement instability.
However, the treatment can also change traction, especially if there is residual dirt left on the road, creating additional risks on fast descents.
Visibly irritated, Pidcock admitted that he would only know the full extent of the disaster once the adrenaline wore off, but he hoped the damage would be limited.
Pidcock puzzled by ‘shit’ on road that caused crash
Video courtesy: TNT Sport
“I’m fine right now, but we’ll see later when the adrenaline wears off, but I think I’m fine,” he continued.
“It will be a little annoying. I don’t think I’ve ever crashed on a Grand Tour before, so this will be a new experience.
“Right now it’s about sleeping, trying to recover from a few cuts, but I don’t think it’s that bad. Everything is fine”.
Despite the setback, the British rider remained positive about his performance, finishing ninth on the stage just under two minutes behind winner Pogacar and moving up to 10th overall.
“My legs are getting better and better” – Vingegaard is confident, despite the fact that he is losing more and more time to Pogačar
Video courtesy: TNT Sport
Pidcock said he feels he is starting to get into stronger shape and is enjoying racing closer to the front.
“I thought it was pretty good,” the Brit reflected about the scene as a whole. “I just missed the front group. We’ll ignore Pogacar, right? But I’m getting a little stronger.
“I couldn’t stay with Isaac (del Toro) on the last climb, but it was good. Racing ahead, fast day.”
Pidcock added that being able to compete rather than just endure the race made the experience more enjoyable.
“I felt comfortable until the end, and you know, it’s a little nicer when you’re not one of those people who suffers all day.”
Stage 10 results
- Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia/UAE, Emirates-XRG team) 3 hours 58 minutes 8 seconds
- Remco Evenepoel (Bel/Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) +32 seconds
- Paul Seixas (Fra/Decathlon-CMA CGM) +34 seconds
- Florian Lipowitz (Ger/Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) Same time
- Juan Ayuso (Spa/Lidl-Track) +38 seconds
- Matthias Skjelmose (Den/Lidl-Track) Same time
- Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Visma-Lease a Bike) +44 seconds
- Isaac del Toro (Team Mexico/UAE Emirates-XRG) +1 minute 31 seconds
- Tom Pidcock (UK/Pinarello-Q36.5) +1:59
- Lenny Martinez (Fra/Bahrain-Victorius) +2:03
General classification after stage 10
- Tadej Pogačar (Slovenia/UAE, Emirates-XRG team) 36 hours 15 minutes 2 seconds
- Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Visma-Lease a Bike) +3 minutes 36 seconds
- Remco Evenepoel (Bel/Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) +4:06
- Juan Ayuso (Spa/Lidl-Track) +4:22
- Paul Seixas (Fra/Decathlon-CMA CGM) +4:35
- Florian Lipowitz (Ger/Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) +4:44
- Isaac del Toro (Team Mexico/UAE Emirates-XRG) +5:08
- Mattias Skjelmose (Den/Lidl-Track) +5:45
- Lenny Martinez (Fra/Bahrain-Victorius) +6:34
- Tom Pidcock (UK/Pinarello-Q36.5) +11:49
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