We're counting on this duo for excitement in Tour de France week 3: 'Ask him every day and keep trying'

We’re picking Richard Carapaz and Tobias Halland Johannessen for the final week of the Tour de France. The pair has already made their mark in this race, but proved in Stage 14 that their legs are in excellent shape. Tadej Pogacar won the stage from the general classification group, but Carapaz and Johannessen look set to play leading roles in all the mountain stages still to come.

Carapaz had already indicated during the second week that his legs were feeling better, which is why he had lost time during the first week in order to distance himself from the general classification. So it was no surprise that EF Education-EasyPost had several riders in a large breakaway. Ben Healy served as Carapaz’s final support rider.

"We were very active right from the start because we knew this was a great opportunity to win the stage," said Carapaz after receiving the award for best fighter. "On the final climb, we heard that we only had a one-minute lead left, so we knew it would be up to the general classification contenders."

Pogacar did indeed power past him (and shook Carapaz’s hand afterward), just like the other riders in the top ten. “We gave it our all and are proud of our performance,” said Carapaz, who is far from done in this Tour de France. “It was a positive day, and I’m happy with my performance because my legs are getting better every day. That motivates me.”

Alongside Carapaz, Johannessen made the biggest impression. Together with his younger brother Anders, Uno-X Mobility put in an outstanding performance. Tobias Halland Johannessen made a strong effort to catch up to Carapaz, who had broken away, on the final climb, but it wasn’t to be. “We’re a little disappointed that the breakaway didn’t make it to the finish, but we’ll try again. We’ve shown what we’re capable of.”

Johannessen said he could have saved a lot of energy if he had taken Pogacar at his word before the start. “I spoke with him and asked if he believed in the breakaway today. He said, ‘Maybe not.’” "I went for it with Anders, and when Carapaz attacked, I kept my own pace. When the general classification contenders came up, they went just a little too fast."

Johannessen will trust Pogacar for the rest of the Tour. “I’m going to ask him every day and keep trying.”