Tour de France 2023: Tadej Pogacar says wrist ‘sore’ but hails ‘perfect situation’ ahead of Stage 3

Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) admitted after Stage 2 of the Tour de France that his recovering wrist is still “sore”, but also hailed a “perfect situation” that sees UAE in yellow through Britain’s Adam Yates.

After Sunday’s opening stage win saw Yates take the Tour’s first yellow jersey, Pogacar captured bonus seconds on Stage 2 to already put him 11 seconds ahead of General Classification rival Jonas Vingegaard (Team Jumbo-Visma).

“The plan was to go for the bonus seconds and win the stage,” the Slovenian two-time Tour winner said.

“We didn’t win, but it’s still a good day – except for Matteo Trentin’s crash, I hope he is well.

“Now I expect that we will take it easier over the next two days. We are in a perfect situation right now.

“After yesterday’s stage [Stage 1], what we had to do today was quite clear: defend the jersey, and take some more seconds on our rivals.

“My wrist is now a bit sore after all the sprinting today, but it’s better every day.

“Today’s stage was a bit bumpy and technical, with many speed bumps, corners and potholes.

“Even if it’s a bit sore now, it feels better every day, so no problem.”

With Yates’ twin brother Simon (Team Jayco-AlUla) in third, it’s been a strong start to the Tour from a British perspective.

Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers) also had a better Stage 2 after a difficult opening day, finishing fourth to leave himself 17th on GC.

“Thank you for this kind of human bull****,” Calmejane fumed on Twitter.

“I don’t think I was the only victim of a puncture in the end… know that you can fall and get really hurt with your bull**** you morons.”

Stage 3 is a 193.5km run from Amorebieta-Etxano to Bayonne, and the flattish route offers the first chance for Mark Cavendish to eye a record 35th stage win at the Tour.

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