Pogacar: "It is special to win on July 14 dressed in yellow"

Tadej Pogacar claimed victory in the 10th stage of the Tour de France, strengthening his grip on the yellow jersey and fulfilling a personal ambition.

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We have had an incredible day, we followed the plan we had set and the execution was perfect. Many French people wanted to win today. For me to take this stage on July 14 and wearing yellow is special.

"It is special to win a stage wearing yellow on July 14," Pogacar stated after his win. He acknowledged that the memory of losing to Jonas Vingegaard two years prior had been on his mind. "Two years ago I was second here, which is not a bad result, especially if Jonas beats you. Today I felt the same, but the result was different, and for me it is something formidable," he commented.

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Two years ago I was second here, which is not a bad result, especially if Jonas beats you. Today I felt the same, but the result was different, and for me it is something formidable.

Pogacar now holds a 3 minute and 36 second lead over Vingegaard, his largest advantage at this stage of the race. While pleased with his performance so far, he anticipates the challenging mountain stages ahead. "The Tour is unfolding perfectly for me, but now the high mountains are coming and the forces can balance out. This terrain favors me more. I will have to stay focused until the end," he said.

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The Tour is unfolding perfectly for me, but now the high mountains are coming and the forces can balance out. This terrain favors me more. I will have to stay focused until the end.

He also addressed the struggles of his teammate Isaac del Toro, attributing the young rider's difficulties to the team's demanding work controlling the race. "We spent many kilometers controlling the race and the team suffers. Isaac is young and with the white jersey he spends a lot of time giving interviews. He is young and has had a bad moment, but I am sure he will show his strength in the coming days," Pogacar added.

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We spent many kilometers controlling the race and the team suffers. Isaac is young and with the white jersey he spends a lot of time giving interviews. He is young and has had a bad moment, but I am sure he will show his strength in the coming days.