Accidental? Tadej Pogacar explains why he intentionally took KOM Points for the polka dot jersey
Cycling
Follow IDL Pro Cycling on Google
Stay up to date with the best cycling news by making us a preferred source on Google.
Follow us on GoogleIn the end, it’s all about the yellow jersey for him, but Tadej Pogacar believes there’s nothing wrong with enjoying the little things during the early part of the Tour de France. On Sunday, the world champion was beaten by Mathieu van der Poel in stage 2, but thanks to his sharp mind in the finale, he came away with the polka dot jersey and that made Pogacar surprisingly happy.
ADVERTISEMENT
The UAE Team Emirates-XRG leader was, of course, fighting for the stage win in the finale and collected a total of three mountain points along the way. Over the Côte du Haut Pichot, Tim Wellens was first to the top, with Pogacar taking second for one point. Then, on the Côte de Saint-Étienne-au-Mont, Pogacar took the full two points. That left him with one point more than Benjamin Thomas, who had been wearing the polka dot jersey for Cofidis after stage 1.
For Pogacar, the mountains classification isn’t a main goal, but after the stage he showed he had clearly thought about it in the mixed zone. “I’ve won the polka dot jersey twice in my career, but I’ve only worn it once in six editions of the Tour de France. Monday will be my second day ever wearing it, and I’m looking forward to that. People love the polka dot jersey, and it’s a special feeling to have it.”
Pogacar was referring to his wins in the mountains classification in 2020 and 2021, both years when he also took grabbed the yellow jersey, meaning he only wore the polka dots for one day. In the 2022 and 2023 Tours won by Jonas Vingegaard, he never rode a day in the polka-dot jersey and neither did he last year, when Pogacar wore the yellow jersey for almost the entire Tour de France as general classification leader. The mountains classification did not go to him then either, but to Richard Carapaz.
Read more below the photo.
Pogacar happy with polka dot jersey and second place behind Van der Poel
With a second place finish, six bonus seconds, second overall in the GC (two seconds ahead of Vingegaard), and the polka dot jersey, Pogacar had plenty to be satisfied about. “It was really an amazing stage, it had everything: rain, stress, chaos, danger, and short climbs like in a classic. I felt good in the finale and as a team we rode really well. Mathieu was just stronger – chapeau to him. I’m happy with second place.”
Speaking to NOS about his sprint against Van der Poel, Pogacar was clear. “It’s difficult to beat Mathieu in a sprint. I messed it up a bit because I was probably a bit intimidated to sprint against him. That made me hesitate just a little too long, and he was faster.”
Bram van der PloegEditor-in-chief
Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.
IDL-productions
Celia Gery won the European cyclocross championship while awaiting surgery: 'It'll be a new beginning'
Dutch team coach De Knegt annoyed by European Cyclocross Championships dispute: "A bit of a let down"
Glasgow set to shine as World Cup demand outstrips expectations and Mason eyes first home cyclocross race
Pogačar, Vingegaard and Van Aert went faster again in 2026... except when they didn't
Team GB dominate, China on the rise, Lavreysen the best ever? Five takeaways from the 2026 Track World Championships
Latest Cycling News
Pinarello-Q36.5 weigh up Pidcock and Ciccone as co-leaders in 2027: 'Rather have two spirited riders than one'
Pidcock's turbocharged vacation leads to struggles on the bike: 'No wonder people think cycling is hard'
Primoz Roglic's contract options continue to shrink, but a surprise new team enters the conversation
Disappointment at Lidl-Trek after Juan Ayuso's poor start: 'I don't know if it was a mental issue'
Tadej Pogačar reveals his insane training data in new HBO film: 'I think that's what works best'
Popular Cycling News
Cycling transfers 2026/2027 | Cycling transfer market still in full swing in November
Tadej Pogačar reveals his insane training data in new HBO film: 'I think that's what works best'
Sven Nys spoke with Lucinda Brand straight after European Championship drama: 'Is that enough to ultimately relegate someone'
Fears of serious injury to Alvarado, bronze medalist, after the European Cyclocross Championships
Picnic PostNL's WorldTour uncertainty has five rival teams, and Tom Pidcock, watching the UCI closely
Latest Comments
- If he finished ninth at the Tour, why didn’t he get a stage win too? I’m still trying to understand how the overall standings work.julien11-11-2026
- I like the honesty of that training post. Even the best riders feel the difference after a few weeks off, and he’s got plenty of time to build back up.samanthak11-11-2026
- Fifth in the world rankings after that autumn run is some achievement. Pidcock was so aggressive at the Tour, too—hopefully he can turn a few of those near-misses into wins inpatriciaw11-11-2026
- Does XEFI’s investment mean the team will have more money to sign riders, or is it mainly a sponsorship and naming change? And is Roglič expected to race much next season?jeremya11-11-2026
- If the roster is nearly complete, why bring up Roglič at all? Feels like the article is turning a firm “no” into a transfer rumour.andrewf11-11-2026
- Wuling is no joke—105 km of climbing to 3,275 metres is brutal. Five minutes off Dyball’s record is still an incredible ride.velodromevirtuoso111-11-2026
- Roglič at TotalEnergies would be a fascinating move, but Heulot sounds pretty clear that it isn’t happening. His experience could be a massive boost for the younger riders, though.jennifer1911-11-2026
- Eight riders told to go for stages, and nobody gets one—hard to know what the plan was there. It’ll be interesting to see whether they pick a clear leader next time.bikebuffj10-11-2026
- Was Bernal’s 20th place really their best GC result? I thought he might have finished higher. Either way, it sounds like a rough Tour for the whole team.gearguru3310-11-2026
- Five days in breaks with no stage win is a painful stat. The team had chances, but they need to turn those opportunities into results.julien10-11-2026
