The 2025 Tour de France has seen Tadej Pogacar, the world champion, facing a formidable challenge from his rivals, with a 3:36 lead on Vingegaard. Former pro rider Laurens ten Dam has noticed a change in Pogacar's demeanor, suggesting he may be feeling the strain of the race. Ten Dam's concerns are backed by the team's own admission that Pogacar was suffering from fatigue and a knee injury during the final week of the race. This is particularly interesting given Pogacar's dominant performance, having worn the yellow jersey for 13 days and holding the polka dot jersey on other days. The question arises: can Pogacar maintain his lead despite these challenges? The team's morale may be low, and the pressure to keep up with Pogacar's pace could be taking its toll. Ten Dam advises against provoking Pogacar, suggesting that setting a high tempo could lead to a counter-attack. However, he also acknowledges the possibility of Pogacar reaching a breaking point, and the team should be prepared to control the gap between the pair during the long climbs in the third week of the race. The 2025 Tour de France is a testament to the challenges faced by the world's best cyclists, and the race is far from over. As the race continues, the outcome remains uncertain, and the battle for the yellow jersey is far from over.
