The first of two Alpe d’Huez days in this year’s Tour de France served up what everybody expected.
A breakaway. Valentin Paret-Peintre and Richard Carapaz battling over the Col Bayard and Col du Noyer for the polka-dot jersey. A small, elite group trying to cling to the lead on the Alpe d’Huez.
And, Tadej Pogacar. He won his fifth stage of this year’s edition and set an all-time record ascent of the Tour’s most famous mountain. obliterate the mountain’s all-time climbing record. He attacked unanswered 13 kilometers from the summit, caught Carapaz, Sepp Kuss, and Lenny Martinez from a deficit of 3’25”, and won the stage solo. His time, 35’26”, beat Pantani’s all-time record by over a minute.
There’s no suspense, and no unpredictability. But there is greatness, and we are witnessing it.