[source](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR3F-PbnT8PUa1E1O0Bsdwt_PylwN_mUts9fO05GKTiz3fIHZR0AmgsDLM&s=10) The Tour De France started last Saturday in Barcelona and the signs were ominous early on for all the other riders. The dominance of team UAE has already flexed their muscles with 3 stage wins from the first 6 stages. Normally week 2 is the moving week because most of the top contenders do not want to claim the leaders yellow jersey too early. The problem of holding the yellow jersey is your team is on the defensive defending the jersey plus after every stage there are media duties which can be draining speaking to all the television stations and reporters. Pogačar in previous races has handed back the yellow jersey in order to take a break knowing full well he can claim it back later on. This is the class of the rider and why he stands head and shoulders above every professional cyclist in the world.

[source](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSCFSE-4xpLML03J8Qf6M9z0hCdlpdLK9c3iKD-4wtyMw&s=10) The Col du Tourmalet was featured in yesterdays stage and has been a regular feature in the Tour De France since 1910. This mountain climb is what separates the men from the boys in elite cycling and often shapes the podium for the Tour.

[source](https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/30-facts-about-the-col-du-tourmalet/) The Col du Tourmalet sits at 2115m high and was not the first climb of the day as there was a more gentle mountain pass the Col d’Aspin which was the appetiser. Team UAE dominated this climb with Pogačar cresting the top first and was never seen by the other cyclists again. This was Pogačar putting the 3 week race to bed on day six 43km from the finish.

[source](https://static-cms.routard.com/web-routard/uploads/small_pt26995_1238349_d4cfcc9473.jpg) **The Col du Tourmalet in the Pyrenees is a daunting climb.** What is remarkable is Pogačar started the day more than 7.30 down on the then yellow jersey holder and after this stage finished with a lead of 2 minutes and 42 seconds from second place Jonas Vingeaard who with every pedal turn was losing time to the dominant Pogačar. On stage 4 many were questioning Team UAE's tactics as the team took a day off allowing another team to take the yellow jersey and a 7minute 43 second lead. If you underestimate Pogačar's abilities then you do so at your own peril. This year the team UAE looks more prepared, stronger and more organised than ever before. Pogačar's number 2 and incumbent rider to take his mantle when he retires is Isaac Del Toro who is rumored to be offered a contract of $13 million per season which is more than Pogačar. The UAE Teams budget is $600 million per year which is the envy of the other teams. The scary part is Del Toro should win the White Jersey which is a jersey held by the leading under 23 rider. Pogačar is teaching him how ruthless he can be and even handed him a stage showing he is wanting Del Toro to finish on the podium or as high as possible. When you are a team leader every other rider being 7 others are there for one purpose only and that is to help the leader win. Pogačar fiving back by allowing others in the team to win shows this is a proper team effort and everyone has their roles to play. Pogačar taking such a huge chunk of time on one stage is not unusual and has done this before with the Giro d'Italia when he took the race away from all the other contenders creating a 4 minute buffer on one mountain climb. The problem is yesterday he not only broke the time records climbing the Col du Tourmalet, but he also broke records going down hill that no other rider could match. The only thing stopping Tadej Pogačar from winning this years Tour De France is a crash or sickness which can happen and has happened to others in the past. His team now are not under pressure and their job is to protect Pogačar making sure he gets to the finish line in Paris safely. The winnings are shared amongst the team members and support staff so everyone has the financial incentive to make sure that happens. The winner receives €500,000 and if the team can get Del Toro finishing 2nd or 3rd that could be another €200 000 or €100 000 plus the other jerseys like the Polka Dot (mountains) €20 000 and white jersey (young rider) €50 000. Every day these riders wear these jerseys there are additional bonuses along with stage wins prize money. The UAE team could clean up and see a total payout of around €700 000-€880 000 if they continue to dominate. Posted Using [INLEO](https://inleo.io/@cryptoandcoffee/tour-de-france-tadej-pogaar-shows-his-class-6kq)