Key Pogačar domestique is worried about what's to come at the Tour de France: 'We have to stay focused'

A new phase is beginning in the Tour de France, as two grueling stages are on the schedule for Saturday and Sunday. In the tough stages we’ve seen so far, UAE has struck every time. As a result, Tadej Pogacar already has a firm grip on the GC standings, but how does his team view what’s still to come? IDL Pro Cycling asked super domestique Felix Grossschartner.

"It's been going well so far. I think it's been a really good Tour for us so far," said the Austrian. Given the results his team have already notched up, his confidence makes perfect sense.

UAE has dominated from the very start, although on the opening day it had to concede victory in the team time trial to Visma | Lease a Bike. After that, it was all UAE, with stage wins by Isaac Del Toro (one) and Pogacar (three). In Stage 6, the stage over the Tourmalet, they also built a substantial lead over the competition.

Week two included a few easier days, with sprints on Wednesday and Thursday and a typical breakaway stage on Friday. Does the Tour really get going on Saturday? “I wouldn’t say so,” Grossschartner laughed. “The final week in the Alps is really tough, and this weekend will definitely be tough as well. Those are, of course, the most important days for the general classification.”

With a 3.36-minute lead over Jonas Vingegaard, Pogacar will enter the next stage of the Tour de France. A welcome lead, said the UAE-Austrian rider. “It’s definitely good that Tadej already has a small lead. That takes some of the pressure off us.”

Still, he certainly didn’t want to get too far ahead of himself. “There’s still a long way to go. We have to stay focused. We also must never underestimate the others. You never know, especially on the long climbs. Looking at the profiles, it should suit us well.” Vingegaard will likely feel the same way about the longer cols.

In any case, Pogačar is taking it in stride. Calm as always, as Grossschartner also noted. “It’s truly an honor to ride for one of the best cyclists of all time. It’s also an honor to be here at the Tour, the biggest cycling race in the world. He’s a really laid-back guy. He’s incredibly strong on the bike, but he’s also a really good person.”

The experienced climber describes their time together in this Tour as “really great,” but could it get even better if—assuming Pogacar has already clinched the Tour—Grossschartner gets a chance of his own? “I’m not thinking about that right now,” the Austrian laughed. “Because we also have Isaac (Del Toro, ed.). The top priority is still the yellow jersey in Paris. We’ll see. The most important thing is to arrive in Paris wearing the yellow. That’s it.”