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Was the yellow jersey really working as a domestique?
On the Tour’s biggest climbing day, Tadej Pogačar found himself doing something unusual.
Instead of riding purely for himself, the yellow jersey went to the front of the reduced GC group and increased the pressure while Isaac del Toro fought to hold third overall.
The official Tour report says Pogačar made a major selection behind the break before later pacing Del Toro when Remco Evenepoel attacked.
How often do we see the strongest rider in the race become a domestique this late in the Tour?
Why was Del Toro worth protecting?
Del Toro’s podium was still under threat from Paul Seixas.
On the final run towards Alpe d’Huez, Del Toro accelerated and managed to distance Seixas. Evenepoel then attacked with 3km remaining—but instead of following him, Pogačar stayed with his teammate.
Pogačar and Del Toro eventually crossed the line together, fourth and fifth, both 1:05 behind Richard Carapaz. Seixas finished 2:55 down.
Would Pogačar have ridden differently if Del Toro’s podium wasn’t at stake?
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Did Pogačar give up his own stage ambitions?
Probably to some extent.
The day before, Pogačar had attacked and won on Alpe d’Huez.
This time, with his own yellow jersey virtually secure, his priorities had changed.
Evenepoel was allowed to ride away while Pogačar remained with Del Toro. By the finish, the Tour described Pogačar as having all but secured his fifth overall victory, while Del Toro was set to finish third and take the white jersey.
That makes the decision interesting.
How many Tour leaders would pass up the chance to race entirely for themselves to protect a teammate’s podium?
Was this more impressive than another Pogačar win?
Carapaz deservedly took the stage.
But UAE achieved something arguably more important for the team: Pogačar kept yellow secure while Del Toro survived the final mountain test and protected third overall.
Yesterday showed Pogačar at his most ruthless.
Today showed a very different side of him.
Chainline Verdict
Pogačar didn’t need to prove he was the strongest rider on Stage 20.
He used that strength for someone else.
With yellow effectively safe, he helped turn what could have been a battle for another personal victory into a defence of Del Toro’s Tour podium.
And that leaves one question: