Pogacar is always more golden, Seixas is young first: results of the 14th stage
Video credit: Eurosport
How did you take this new victory?
Tadej Pogačar: “We knew that this was one of the most difficult mountain stages, and we took advantage of this with our team. We made the race more difficult to take advantage of this opportunity. On the last climb a lot of the guys felt good and put up a great fight. I don’t know what you saw on TV, but I saw great respect between all the competitors. I couldn’t ruin this wonderful day. I wanted to complete the team’s good work. career”.
What did you think of Jonas Wingegaard’s performance?
TP: “When he led the group on the Col du Haag, he put in an incredible performance. He’s really strong. But to be honest, I think he’s missing something compared to past Tours, a little bit of punch, a little bit of grind. On the big passes, on the longer climbs, he might find what he’s missing and let me go, you never know. A small percentage and he’s there with me.”
The triumph of Pogacar, the greatness of Del Toro and Seixas: the finale of the 14th stage
Video credit: Eurosport
Do you look happier and more confident than last year?
TP: “Last year I was in a good mood too, but the third week was difficult for me. In La Plagne (during stage 19), in the protocol area after the stage in the rain, I was shaking, my knee hurt, and I don’t know if… I was just relieved that it was all over. So yeah, maybe I was a little annoyed with you, the media. Morale is good this year. But sometimes it’s hard. Two days ago when Lidl Track was running at full speed, I wasn’t feeling my best, I was saying to myself: “damn, this is so hard, I feel so bad.” I spoke to Urska (Siegart, his partner) this morning and she gave me a little motivation for today.
We saw you smiling on the last climb, why?
TP: “This is my grin of misery. You may think that I am smiling, but in reality I am suffering. But in a good way. It’s not like when you’re suffering and completely exhausted, that smile won’t happen.”
“Pogacar was huge, more than 1.5 km long”
Video credit: Eurosport