Tadej Pogacar laments day in 'hell' at Tour de France, Jonas Vingegaard calls him 'best rider in the world'

Updated 20/07/2023 at 13:52 GMT

Jonas Vingegaard is poised to defend his Tour de France title after Tadej Pogacar shipped almost six minutes on Wednesday. Pogacar, a two-time champion, blew up spectacularly on the Col de La Loze as his dreams of the yellow jersey evaporated. Both men spoke to Eurosport ahead of Thursday's Stage 18 to Bourg-en-Bresse, with Vingegaard calling his rival "the best bike rider in the world".

'Like riding in hell' – Pogacar on chastening Stage 17

Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) compared his struggles on Stage 17 at the 2023 Tour de France to "riding in hell".

The Slovenian unravelled on the ascent of the brutal Col de la Loze on Wednesday, finishing almost six minutes down on rival Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) as his dreams of a third yellow jersey evaporated.

Pogacar, who only returned to full training in June after fracturing his wrist at Liege-Bastogne-Liege, confessed on the team radio during the climb: "I'm gone, I'm dead".

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His collapse meant Vingegaard opened up an almost unassailable lead at the top of the general classification - 7'35" clear of second-placed Pogacar with four stages remaining.

Speaking to Eurosport ahead of Thursday's run to Bourg-en-Bresse, Pogacar was in better spirits as he looked to put a difficult day behind him.

"It was like riding in hell," Pogacar admitted.

"We just try to move on and forget about yesterday. Today's a new day, a new chance and we go on."

'Pogacar is the best bike rider in the world' - Vingegaard

Vingegaard calls Pogacar 'best bike rider in the world' despite Tour collapse

Vingegaard's stunning ride on Wednesday was not without incident after the Dane was held up by a stalled motorbike and a car as the crowd spilled out onto the final climb.

Asked what he thought about Pogacar's capitulation, Vingegaard told Eurosport: "I really have a lot of respect for Tadej. In my opinion he's the best bike rider in the world.

"He's such a complete rider and in my opinion he's the best rider out of everyone when you see the whole picture. I only have good things to say about Tadej and he's a really nice person as well."

Pogacar was just 10 seconds back on Vingegaard heading into the final week, but leaked over 90 seconds on Tuesday's dramatic time trial before haemorrhaging more time in the mountains a day later.

Told about Vingegaard's complimentary remarks, Pogacar replied: "He's also one of the best. As a rider, as a guy, he's super good. I also have a lot of respect for him. He's a class above in this Tour de France."