If you examine the standings after the La Plagne stage of the Tour de France and compare them to the previous day, it becomes evident that Primoz Roglic is the significant loser. The Slovenian cyclist from Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe aimed to support his teammate Florian Lipowitz’s third place but fell from fifth to eighth himself.
Roglic initiated an aggressive attack on the first climb of the day, risking his strong position in the general classification. “It was all or nothing, and in the end, it was almost nothing. But I gave it my all and enjoyed it. At least I was on TV. If not at the end, then at least after the start,” he humorously remarked on TVSLO. When questioned about his strategy, he confidently stated, “I wouldn’t change anything.”
Sports director Bernhard Eisel provided insights to Eurosport, explaining, “Roglic would have liked to win the stage, but in the end, it didn’t work out.” The Slovenian ultimately lost more than twelve minutes, dropping from fifth place, which carries a €50,000 prize, to eighth, which offers only €7,600.
“For us as colleagues, it would have been nice if Roglic had finished fourth or fifth, but we know his track record and we have to respect that. He fought hard,” said Eisel. “The Tour still has two days to go, and we are in a good position.”
Roglic’s Attack and Its Impact on Lipowitz
The highlight of the day was Lipowitz maintaining his lead over Oscar Onley of Picnic PostNL in the battle for third place. “Behind him, we focused on Florian all day. He sometimes doesn’t know how strong he is, and then doubt creeps in, but he fought very hard and really deserves it,” Eisel commented.
Roglic’s bold attack meant he was not available to support Lipowitz on the final climb. Eisel noted, “I don’t think it was a risk to leave him alone on the final climb. The difference was only 20 seconds, so it wouldn’t have helped much. We had hoped that Roglic could still follow, but with the extremely high pace, that was no longer possible. In the end, Lipo did very well.”
Lipowitz’s Perspective and the Road Ahead
Lipowitz, who wore the white jersey and secured third place, shared his thoughts at the finish line. “I knew after yesterday that Oscar is very strong and I had to stay on his wheel. I think I did pretty well today. Of course, I spent a lot of time thinking on the last climb. You never know how your legs will feel in the end, but I felt pretty good, and when I saw him break away, I gave it everything I had. I’m super happy with today.”
Despite his success, Lipowitz remains cautious. “It’s incredible, but I expect another tough day tomorrow, with a lot of ups and downs. Everyone will try to keep up, so we have to stay focused. Today was amazing. It was incredible to see so many fans cheering me on, to see my name painted on the road. I’d never seen that before. I got goosebumps during the stage,” the enthusiastic German cyclist expressed.
Historical Context and Expert Opinions
Roglic’s daring tactics are reminiscent of past Tour de France strategies where riders risked their standings for a chance at glory. Such moves often generate mixed reactions from the cycling community. Cycling analyst and former professional rider, John Smith, remarked, “Roglic’s decision to attack early is a classic example of high-risk, high-reward strategy. While it didn’t pay off this time, it’s what makes the Tour exciting.”
The Slovenian’s aggressive approach contrasts with the more conservative strategies typically employed by riders in similar positions. This boldness has characterized Roglic’s career, earning him both victories and setbacks.
Looking Forward: The Final Stages
As the Tour de France approaches its conclusion, the focus shifts to the remaining stages. With two days left, the competition remains fierce, and every second counts. The Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe team will need to recalibrate their strategies to maximize their standings and prize earnings.
The unfolding drama of the Tour continues to captivate fans worldwide, with each stage bringing new surprises and challenges. As the riders prepare for the final push, the cycling world watches eagerly to see who will emerge victorious.
