The first week of the Tour ended with the spectacular stage 9 on gravel roads. On the 199 km long route that started and finished in Troyes Tadej and his team UAE Team Emirates were always on the front. In the middle of the stage he followed an attack by Remco Evenepoel, they were also joined by Jonas Vingegaard, but the Dane didn’t want to take turns on the front. This trio waited for the group of favorites and latter Tadej attacked on the last gravel sections. Vingegaard caught up with him with the help of his teammates, also the wind conditions were not the most favorable for an escape.
“I didn’t expect the gravel to be so rough, it was quite difficult to ride on. It would be more convenient for me if the route was run in the opposite direction, in the last part we were riding into a headwind, which was not favorable for attacks. Remco and I looked at each other, we could have driven together, but it was fun, even though we didn’t do it,” commented Tadej.
Nevertheless, he is satisfied with what he achieved in the first week of the Tour. He won stage 4 over the Galibier and took 2nd place in the time trial in stage 7. He’s been in the leaders’ yellow jersey for seven days already.
“I’m looking forward to the first rest day. One of the hardest days of the Tour is behind us, I had strong legs, I felt very good, I can’t wait for the real mountain stages to come. I am very happy with my position in the race. Next weekend there are two difficult stages in the Pyrenees, and there is no time trial until the last day. I’m confident, I have good legs, a good team, I enjoyed racing so far,” added Tadej. He leads the race 33 seconds ahead of Evenepoel, 1:15 ahead of Vingegaard and 1:36 ahead of Primož Roglič.