There was again no stopping Tadej Pogacar in the sixth stage of the Tour of Catalonia. After a solo of 30 kilometers towards Queralt, the Slovenian won a third stage victory. He thus strengthens his position in the leader’s jersey. Bernal came second, Landa third.
LOOK. On the way to the finish, Pogacar is hindered by two motorcycles.
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The sixth and penultimate stage in the Tour of Catalonia promised to be a big one. The riders were presented with five climbs, with an uphill finish and an extra-category climb. Pogacar – who rode with a comfortable lead in the leader’s jersey – was aiming for his third stage victory.
With the first attack the flight of the day was immediately formed. Bauke Mollema and Hugh Carthy were allowed to do what they wanted from the peloton. Their lead always remained within limits. The escape duo never had more than two minutes of breathing space.
On the very tough Coll de Pradell, Mollema slumped, after which Carthy was a bird for the cat. The regrouping quickly became a reality. It continued to flow until within a mile of the summit. Pogacar and Visma-Lease a Bike, among others, continued to lead the pack. Kuss was a victim of that. Partly due to the leading work of his own team, he had to let go.
A thinned out platoon continued towards Queralt. Pogacar, Landa, Bernal, Vlasov and Mas were some of the few favorites left. Not a Visma-Lease a Bike rider in sight. The Dutch formation had to work hard in the chasing group. Uijtdebroeks and co brought leader Kuss back into the Pogacar group at 33 kilometers from the finish.
A few kilometers later the leader had had enough. He stood on the pedals and shook everyone out of their wheels. Landa showed courage for a moment and tried to follow, but felt the acidification quickly increase. It was a lonely journey of 30 kilometers to the arrival town of Queralt. The final climb was no longer a stumbling block for the Slovenian. Soon, a few police motorcycles got in the way, to – logically – Pogacar’s frustration.
Bernal and Landa continued to chase, but had to acknowledge their superiority. They came second and third respectively. Result: third stage victory for Pogacar, and even more comfortable in the leader’s jersey. He now has a three minute and 31 second lead over first pursuer Landa.
Tadej Pogacar: “Very tough stage”
Pogacar was still cycling when the flash interview was conducted. Still recovering from the ride. “It was a very tough stage,” said the Slovenian. “We controlled the stage very well from the start. Visma-Lease a Bike set a fast pace on the Coll de Pradell. It went really fast. After the climb we were left with a thinned out peloton, but a large group was still able to return. Then I opted for a solo, and the rest is history. The final climb was still very tough, but the fans were really crazy.”
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16:47
ANOTHER 2 KM: Pogacar through a sea of supporters
The leader flies up the climb. He does this to loud cheers from the supporters.
16:31
ANOTHER 10 KM: Pogacar unstoppable
Pogacar continues to steam towards the finish. To achieve this, he only has to conquer the final climb. Landa and Bernal continue to chase, but they also seem to realize that the winner is already known.
16:23
ANOTHER 16 KM: Landa and Bernal come together
Bernal joins Landa. The two pursuers are 40 seconds behind the unleashed Pogacar.
16:14
ANOTHER 23 KM: no stopping Pogacar
There is no stopping Pogacar anymore. He seems to be heading for his third stage victory, and an even stronger leadership position in this Tour of Catalonia. Landa and Bernal are still chasing at half a minute and 50 seconds respectively.
16:04
ANOTHER 29 KM: there he goes
There goes the leader. Pogacar comes on and shakes everyone off their wheels. Landa seems to be able to follow for a moment, but has to let it be. The race seems to be over.
15:55
ANOTHER 33 KM: everything back together
Thanks to the beech work of Visma-Lease a Bike, everything comes together again, even before the Collada de Sant Isidre.
15:44
ANOTHER 43 KM: Visma-Lease a Bike at work
The Visma-Lease a Bike riders missed the battle and now have to work hard in the chasing group.
15:33
ANOTHER 52 KM: peloton thinned out
Pogacar, Almeida, Landa, Bernal, Vlasov and Mas, among others, are still part of the thinned out group. So not a Visma-Lease a Bike rider. They flamed down on the descent of the Coll de Pradell.
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15:19
STILL 60 KM: pace into the air
One and a half kilometers before the top, the pace increases, with consequences. Sepp Kuss has to let go. The peloton suddenly consists of only about twenty riders.
15:13
ANOTHER 62 KM: Visma-Lease a Bike takes the plunge
Just like a few kilometers ago, it is the Dutch formation – led by Gesink – that leads the peloton.
14:53
ANOTHER 70 KM: regrouping
Carthy is also caught on the climb of the Coll de Pradell. Robert Gesink is now leading the peloton. What price trend do we see now?
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14:49
ANOTHER 72 KM: Mollema drops out
Carthy is on her own. At the beginning of the climb, Mollema chooses to drop back to the peloton, which is 10 seconds behind.
14:38
78 KM TO GO: the escapees have only a 20 second lead
The escapees’ lead is shrinking and they are still in danger of being caught at the foot of the Coll de Pradell.
14:18
ANOTHER 95 KM: summit passed
The leaders and the peloton have started the descent of the Coll de la Batallola. Carthy emerged first again. The two front runners are more than a minute ahead of the peloton.
14:04
13:54
ANOTHER 108 KM: Collet de Cal Ros is coming
The second climb of the day is approaching. The Collet de Cal Ros has 10.1 kilometers, with an average gradient of 4.2%.
13:29
STILL 125 KM: first climb of the day behind us
The Coll de la Batallola has already been conquered. Carthy took the three points for the mountains classification. Four more climbs to go, including the very tough Coll de Pradell, a non-category climb.
13:11
ANOTHER 132 KM: Carthy takes the full prize
Carthy takes the three points, Mollema takes two. The escapees maintain their lead of more than one minute.
13:04
135 KM TO GO: one minute lead for escapees
The Mollema-Carthy duo is already a minute ahead of the peloton. Will anyone else make the jump towards the escape duo?
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Tags: Pogacar rides stage victory Catalonia kilometer solo consolidates leadership position obstructing police motorcycles Cycling
