Friday 11: 12:10–12:25 → 16:40–17:05
Another stage for punchers, with the now classical ending on the circuit of Mûr de Bretagne.
Friday 11: 12:10–12:25 → 16:40–17:05
Another stage for punchers, with the now classical ending on the circuit of Mûr de Bretagne.
It make me think of Pacher (FDJ) who pulled the head group before the climb. What was the goal? Did he believe a fast approach would help Grégoire compared to the other guys? Why would it help him?
The actual result is that it enlarged the gap with his leader G. Martin who has crashed… And Grégoire cracked in the climb.
So I imagine, it was simply a case of “Damn, I am in a reduced head group with most favourites, I won’t be able to do anything in the climb, so it is my last chance to act”. Even if the action makes no sense, he showed he worked. That’s my theory for this case 😀
Pogacar’s winning reputation and finishing speed makes some of these guys panic I think. Like they feel they must do something before it gets to the finish, they can’t try to beat him on the line, but they end up playing into his hands anyway.