'The problem is not the course, but the difference between Pogačar and the rest' – Gouvenou responds to criticism
The Tour de France's course designer and former pro rider Thierry Gouvenou has responded to criticism about the parcours of the opening week, and stage 6 in particular, with many lamenting that the Tour may already be over, at least as far as GC intrigue goes.
"We were unsure about how tough the sixth stage would be, but we knew for sure that the Tourmalet would be a decisive moment," Gouvenou told Danish TV. "To be honest, we hadn't expected such a big gap and we thought the differences at the finish would be smaller.
"In terms of tension in the general classification, you could say it was a failure. But that is also part of cycling. That is just how Pogačar is. He is so strong that any course suits him ... The problem is not the course, but the difference between Pogačar and the others.”
After seven completed days of racing, Pogačar already leads main rival Jonas Vingegaard by two minutes 42 seconds, with UAE teammate Isaac Del Toro currently winning the battle for third three minutes 27 seconds down.
