The first two stages of the Tour have been enough to see that the hierarchies are clear. The leaders of the Jumbo and the UAE are ready for their third round, although their respective teams still have a little to go. On the other hand, in the second step, the applicants are still taking positions, with Mikel Landa and Carlos Rodríguez well placed.
The first forecast fulfilled, and in just two stages, is that Vingegaard and Pogacar are the strongest on the 2023 Tour. But with small details that give clues. Yesterday, again, the Slovenian won his face-to-face with the Dane. Both in Jaizkibel and at the finish line in San Sebastián, Pogacar scratched seconds and is marking territory like a feline that announces the limits of his domain.
In addition, in the descent of Jaizkibel, Vingegaard said no to his rival's offer of collaboration. The two kings were alone, but one was afraid and preferred to wait for his entourage. A gesture of caution, perhaps beneficial in the long run (this is many days), but that does not add luster to the wearer of the number 1 number.
Behind the two favorites there are two teams. Vingegaard gives the impression of feeling more in need of his support than Pogacar. We will see. At the moment, with just 391 kilometers (out of 3,400) traveled, the tracks are confusing.
In certain passages it gives the impression that Pogacar is forced to solve it alone and in others the UAE takes control with solvency. In the Jumbo, the most puzzling case is that of Van Aert. Yesterday he went out to all and then he could no longer reply to Lafay, but he did prevent Pogacar from taking second. In Bilbao, on the other hand, he did not shine in the favorites sprint, after the Yates. Sometimes he is, sometimes not. The UAE and the Jumbo are finishing greasing the machinery.
On the huge Tour chessboard there were 176 pieces. But cycling is immensely cruel and two contenders for the podium have already fallen: Mas and Carapaz. The hardness of the first two stages has allowed us to know at an unusual speed which are the rooks, knights and bishops of the platoon, and which pawns aspire to promote if they see a loophole open.
In Bilbao, the leading group was barely 14 and, discounting the UAE and the Jumbo, there would be 9 left. In San Sebastián, 24 arrived and of the 9 one has already failed: Pinot. There are two Spaniards among the elite eight: Mikel Landa and Carlos Rodríguez. Let's also point to Simon Yates, Woods, Lafay, Hindley, Skjelmose and Gaudu. There is no more at that level.
