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Pogacar helped teammate to podium: 'We clicked from the start'
๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ฐ Denmark /Sports

Pogacar helped teammate to podium: 'We clicked from the start'

From Berlingske · () Danish

Translated from Danish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Tadej Pogacar prioritized helping teammate Isaac del Toro secure third place and the youth classification in the Tour de France.
  • Pogacar highlighted his strong rapport with Del Toro, emphasizing their shared humor and mutual support.
  • The Slovenian rider is on the verge of winning his third consecutive Tour de France overall, underscoring his dominance in the sport.

Tadej Pogacar demonstrated exceptional sportsmanship on the 20th stage of the Tour de France, foregoing a potential stage win to support his teammate Isaac del Toro.

We clicked pretty quickly when he joined the team. We had good energy together and the same humor. Then we raced a few races together, and he was always 100 percent there for me.

โ€” Tadej PogacarDescribing his relationship with teammate Isaac del Toro.

Pogacar chose to act as a domestique for the day, enabling Del Toro to fend off a late attack from Paul Seixas. This effort secured Del Toro's third-place overall finish and the white jersey for the youth classification. "We clicked pretty quickly when he joined the team. We had good energy together and the same humor. Then we raced a few races together, and he was always 100 percent there for me," Pogacar explained.

The Slovenian rider emphasized Del Toro's determination to compete in the Tour de France, even when other Grand Tours might have been considered. "He was determined to be in the Tour de France, even though he could have raced the Giro d'Italia or Vuelta a Espaรฑa. He wanted to be there to help win the yellow jersey with the team," Pogacar stated.

He was determined to be in the Tour de France, even though he could have raced the Giro d'Italia or Vuelta a Espaรฑa. He wanted to be there to help win the yellow jersey with the team.

โ€” Tadej PogacarExplaining Isaac del Toro's commitment to the team's goals.

With this support, Pogacar effectively secured his third consecutive Tour de France victory and fifth overall, solidifying his status among the all-time greats. He acknowledged the strength of his team throughout the race, noting that while he performed well, the entire team's effort was crucial. "I have done very well in this Tour, but so has the whole team. And then some of the competitors have had bad luck. But that's the Tour," he commented.

I have done very well in this Tour, but so has the whole team. And then some of the competitors have had bad luck. But that's the Tour.

โ€” Tadej PogacarReflecting on his overall performance and the team's success in the race.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Berlingske in Danish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.