Pogačar: "The top riders in the standings have reached an agreement to remain safe in the sprints."

After two consecutive sprint stages without any dramatic changes in the general classification, Tadej Pogačar wanted to publicly thank the other contenders for the yellow jersey at the 2026 Tour de France . The UAE Team Emirates champion emphasized that an unwritten agreement had been reached among the top GC riders to stay at the rear of the peloton during the sprint finishes, following the strategy already adopted by Visma-Lease a Bike to protect Jonas Vingegaard.

Riding at the back of the peloton to avoid the chaos of speed trains jostling for position is a tactic Visma had already successfully tested at the Giro d'Italia, and it's now applying to the Tour to protect the Dane. The team had openly stated that it hoped other teams would follow their example to maximize safety in the finale, and Vingegaard himself said: "We'll try to ride a little further back and stay safe. I hope the other GC teams do the same. I think it will make the race much easier and much safer."

According to Pogačar, that agreement has become a reality. Combined with the 5-kilometer rule, which guarantees everyone an equal gap in the event of a crash or mechanical problem in the final stages of a flat stage, it has helped make sprint days much less risky for the leaders.

"So far, so good, I can't complain. The Grand Départ was spectacular with the team time trial in Barcelona, ​​then some tough days where the standings settled a bit—I think that's always positive, so the first few days are less chaotic," Pogačar said on Saturday, when asked to take stock of the first eight days of racing at the 2026 Tour.

"Today and yesterday were calmer days, much appreciated after the incredibly tough Tourmalet stage and all the hot days. I must also say that the 5km rule makes a big difference in sprint stages, because now there's a sort of agreement: we GC riders stay at the back, keep calm, and it's much less stressful. There will always be the possibility of crashes, but I think we handled it well. So thanks to all the GC contenders for this respect. It's been one of the most enjoyable Tours so far, apart from the heat."

From a fantasy cycling perspective, this scenario is very interesting: the top riders in the general classification are sailing confidently through the fast stages, which significantly reduces the risk of losing points due to crashes. Pogačar remains firmly in the yellow jersey with a 2:42 lead over Vingegaard , while all the other pursuers are already more than three minutes behind. Those who have placed their bets on the Slovenian can sleep relatively soundly, at least until the big mountains arrive.

The ninth stage, finishing in Ussel, was shortened by the organizers—from 185.5 km to 155.5 km—due to the red heat wave alert in the area between Malemort and the finish line. Pogačar had already prepared himself psychologically: "Tomorrow we can't expect anything less than 35-40 degrees Celsius, and it will certainly be a tough day for a stage win. We need to be ready as a team, and I think we are. So we're keeping the same motto: day by day, keep cool, and try to survive each stage."

Looking ahead, Pogačar declined to rank his rivals—who include Paul Seixas, Remco Evenepoel , Juan Ayuso, and Florian Lipowitz—but he already has his eyes on the upcoming climbs. The first major mountain test will come on French National Day, Tuesday, with the return to Le Lioran , the same finish where Vingegaard triumphed in resounding fashion in 2024.

"It's hard to pick one because the second group on the Tourmalet were all strong contenders for the overall victory, and you never know who will find the best legs in the toughest stages," said the Slovenian champion. "It's hard to make predictions, but I have to keep an eye on that whole group, all the top 10-15 riders. It's always complicated, especially after the first week; it's really hard to predict, but they're all top riders, and we'll see some great battles in the next mountain stages. I can't wait to see who will be the toughest to beat."