Pogačar Cedes Tour Yellow Jersey to Træen, Dropping 7:53 Back After Stage 4
Updated
Updated · Cyclingnews · Jul 7
Pogačar Cedes Tour Yellow Jersey to Træen, Dropping 7:53 Back After Stage 4
3 articles · Updated · Cyclingnews · Jul 7
Summary
Tadej Pogačar finished Stage 4 fourth overall, 7:53 behind new Tour leader Torstein Træen after letting a 34-rider breakaway take the yellow jersey.
Nearly 40°C heat drove the tactic: Pogačar said he started with a headache, while UAE Team Emirates-XRG focused on ice, water and controlled pacing instead of defending the lead.
The move also cut roughly 1.5 hours of post-stage podium and media duties, giving Pogačar earlier recovery as the heatwave continues through the opening week.
Torstein Træen's large cushion could survive Stage 6 over the Col du Tourmalet, though Pogačar said his goal remains to reclaim yellow when the race turns harder in the mountains.