I don’t think anyone who watched the finale of Stage 17 of the Tour de France could be anything but moved by Tadej Pogacar struggles. To watch a rider who has brought such joy and such aggression over the first two weeks finally give up his Tour dreams.
A fall earlier in day, looking anything but OK as the action began and he was closer to the back than the front of the group, I watched in disbelief as the gap grew
Tadej Pogacar has been dropped!
Could this be the end of his Tour de France hopes 👀#TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/d2fV2SzSxh
— Eurosport (@eurosport) July 19, 2023
And finally we heard the words from the team car. It’s the mark of a great rider to be so brutally honest.
"I'm gone. I'm dead."
Tadej Pogacar's words to the team car after being dropped on the Col de la Loze 😢#TdF2023 | @TeamEmiratesUAE pic.twitter.com/vm2XIFFsfv
— Eurosport (@eurosport) July 19, 2023
As Adam Yates left to chase his own podium chance, it was Marc Soler who paced and encouraged his team leader on those final brutal kilometres. What can you say in such a situation.
My heart broke as they came over the line together, Marc reaching out an arm in comfort.
Proud teammate in highs & lows ❤️ great effort @TamauPogi 👊🏻 https://t.co/I2X5H6WEpD
— Tim Wellens (@Tim_Wellens) July 19, 2023
Looked ubeatable on the start of the year ! Broke his hand in april ! Came into this Tour and gave us the most unforgetable tour ever ! Pogi being on this level after broken hand is scary ! Thank you Maestro
— LoveMavs (@VeseliJoc) July 19, 2023
"Today was one of my worst days on the bike, but I had to keep fighting."
– Tadej Pogacar after stage 17. #TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/YudYmuE1Zf
— NBC Sports Cycling (@NBCSCycling) July 19, 2023
Tadej Pogacar crosses the finish line on Courchevel almost 6 minutes behind Jonas Vingegaard. That's cycling, with its highs and lows. Thank you for the show and keep fighting, Pogi! #TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/HtFlHTetUp
— Mihai Simion (@faustocoppi60) July 19, 2023
ALSO, at 24 years old, Pog has finished on the podium of every Grand Tour he's entered……How do you argue with that stat?? And after his wrist injury this year? Still pretty dang incredible! #CouchPeloton
— Jamie Naragon (@TdF4077) July 19, 2023
This #TDF2023 will be what pushes me to be an actual Pogacar fan (barring duels with Danes, obviously). Every dominance needs this. I needed him to not win RVV last year to like him more, like I need him to not win TDF for fun. Best in the world, but also thoroughly nice guy.
— Dennis Korsbæk Præst (@DennisPraest) July 19, 2023
Tadej you have been amazing and you will be again!!
Who doesn’t want to see him light it up on Stage 20
Tadej Pogačar y por qué es leyenda.
I’m fucked. I’m dead. This is of course a very big disappointment, and definitely not what I wanted. Shit happens.
I hope to recover over the next two days. We can go for the stage win in stage 20. It can be a good day to aim for the victory.
— Andrés Cánovas (@andrescanovas) July 19, 2023
Stage results
🏆 Rankings and jerseys after stage 17
🏆 Classements et maillots distinctifs après l'étape 17#TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/6uMRBjXCWM
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 19, 2023