Pogacar relishes Tour de France lead, eyes rivals in mountain stages

Tadej Pogacar is enjoying a dream start to the Tour de France, securing two stage victories and building a commanding lead of 2 minutes and 42 seconds. Despite the challenging heat, particularly after the Tourmalet stage, the Slovenian rider expressed his satisfaction with the race's progression so far.

"I can't complain," Pogacar said. "The start in Barcelona was excellent with the team time trial and a couple of hard stages where the general classification settled a bit. It's always good because it makes everything a little less chaotic."

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I can't complain. The start in Barcelona was excellent with the team time trial and a couple of hard stages where the general classification settled a bit. It's always good because it makes everything a little less chaotic.

While Pogacar appears to be on a direct course for overall victory, the battle for the remaining podium spots is heating up. Jonas Vingegaard is seen as a favorite for second place, but a host of other strong contenders are eyeing a podium finish. Pogacar acknowledged the difficulty in pinpointing his most dangerous rival.

"It's hard to point to one. If you look at the second group on the Tourmalet stage, all riders are clear candidates for victory. You never know who will find the best legs on the hardest stages," he stated. Riders like Remco Evenepoel, Florian Lipowitz, Juan Ayuso, Paul Seixas, Mattias Skjelmose, and Pogacar's teammate Isaac del Toro were positioned behind Vingegaard after the challenging mountain stage.

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It's hard to point to one. If you look at the second group on the Tourmalet stage, all riders are clear candidates for victory. You never know who will find the best legs on the hardest stages.

Looking ahead to the crucial mountain stages, Pogacar emphasized the need for constant vigilance. "I have to keep an eye on everyone in the top 10 or top 15, because after the first week, it's always quite difficult to predict," he explained. "They are all class riders, and we will see some big battles on the next mountain stages. I look forward to finding out who will be the toughest to match."

Pogacar also reflected on his overall experience in this year's Tour, noting it as one of his most enjoyable despite the heat. The race has provided a good mix of challenging terrain and slightly easier days, allowing the peloton to manage the intensity.

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I have to keep an eye on everyone in the top 10 or top 15, because after the first week, it's always quite difficult to predict. They are all class riders, and we will see some big battles on the next mountain stages. I look forward to finding out who will be the toughest to match.