Tadej Pogacar cracks on Col de la Loze in dramatic Tour de France twist – ‘I’m gone, I’m dead’
Any hopes of a grandstand finish at the 2023 Tour de France evaporated on Stage 17 when Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) imploded on the Col de la Loze.
Vingegaard had not even gone on the attack when Pogacar dropped off the pace with 7km remaining of the climb as Jumbo-Visma drove a strong pace on the front through Sepp Kuss, with the steepest gradients still to come.
“It’s a huge moment. Getting distanced already on this part, it’s not the real steep gradient,” said a surprised Sean Kelly on Eurosport commentary.
UAE instructed Marc Soler to stay with two-time champion Pogacar, who later said on the team radio: “I’m gone, I’m dead”.
Pogacar arrived with major doubts over his form and fitness after fracturing his wrist at Liege-Bastogne-Liege in April, but made an impressive recovery and sat just 10 seconds back Vingegaard going into the final week of the Tour.
‘You’re a hero, my friend’ – Pogacar crosses the line on Stage 17 after difficult day
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