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Did Visma-Lease a Bike just bring a new tactic to its long Tour de France rivalry with Tadej Pogačar?
Probably not.
Pogačar was able to laugh off a rogue collision with a Visma-Lease a Bike team car ahead of Thursday’s horror show stage through the Alps and up to Col de la Loze.
The world champion revealed he and his UAE Emirates XRG press officer rode into one of their rivals team’s vehicles before the stage rolled out of Vif.
“News travels fast,” Pogačar laughed Thursday morning.
“We [Pogačar and press officer] were riding to the start line. It was clear in the front, we were cruising behind the car, maybe a bit too close. I don’t know if he wanted to brake check my brakes … I was not ready because I didn’t see anyone in front,” Pogačar told ITV 4.
“I didn’t see the reason to stop earlier, so we crashed into the car. I hit my chin, but it’s ok.”
A close encounter with a team Visma car might be the least of Pogačar’s worries Thursday.
This 18th stage of the Tour de France has been circled in every rider’s calendar since the winter.
The Alpine monster loads more than 5,500 meters of ascent into three towering HC climbs.
Pogačar told ITV 4 he’s braced for an onslaught from Vingegaard – who started the day 4:15 back – on this crucial “queen stage.”
The Dane reiterated before the stage he’s willing to risk his second-place position in the bid to win a third maillot jaune.
“I’m ready for him to go full,” Pogačar said.
“Risk everything? That’s a little bit exaggerating, but risking second place, I understand. Today they will try,” he said. “It’s D-Day.”
“He brake checked me”
Tadej Pogačar reveals he crashed into the Visma | Lease a Bike car this morning #TDF2025 pic.twitter.com/06XbCCuyhn
— ITV Cycling (@itvcycling) July 24, 2025
Updated: Video footage later surfaced of Pogačar’s close up with a Visma car … It’s some stunt by Pogi.