Pogačar Dominates the Mountains as Carapaz Reclaims Polka Dot Jersey

Slovenian Rider's Overwhelming Performance Sparks Criticism and Doping Suspicions, While Competitors Struggle

Tadej Pogačar has dominated the mountains like never before. Although Richard Carapaz has reclaimed the polka dot jersey for the best climber thanks to his performances in the Alps, the Slovenian rider crushed the competition at high altitudes, winning in both the Pyrenees and the Alps, and also taking the final mountain time trial around Nice.

Other climbers have been relegated to secondary roles, as seen with Guillaume Martin, who struggled to keep up with the pace of the top climbers. Martin cited the limitations imposed by a too-heavy bike: "With a lighter bike, I could have stayed with Pogačar's group at the top of the Cime de la Bonette, rather than being 45 seconds behind. I would have had time to eat better and stay more composed," he explained.

 

© 2024 Oualriche Press Group, Pogačar Dominates the Mountains as Carapaz Reclaims Polka Dot Jersey

He revealed that he chose to remove his power meter to lighten his bike, which weighed 7.7 kg, while the UCI’s minimum weight requirement is 6.8 kg.

However, the bike's weight alone does not explain Pogačar's overwhelming dominance. The Slovenian rider has crushed the Tour de France with impressive power. In response to criticism and doping suspicions, the Paris-native expressed his frustration in an interview with Le Monde: "I often hear questions about Pogačar's dominance, with accusations of doping as if I were supposed to confirm: ‘Yes, he must be doping!’”

The Cofidis rider also shared his frustration: "In cycling, frustration is constant because defeat is commonplace. Only a few escape this rule. Statistically, Pogačar loses more stages in the Tour than he wins. But I doubt he is truly frustrated. Therefore, one must look for other reasons for satisfaction."

- Tadej Pogačar
- Richard Carapaz
- Polka dot jersey
- Climbing performance
- Tour de France
- Guillaume Martin
- Bike weight
- Doping suspicions
- Mountain time trial
- Cime de la Bonette

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