‘My body temperature is probably cooler than any Tour before’ – Tadej Pogačar’s hydration strategy has him reaching a new level amid ‘hellish hot’ Tour de France

The images of that day are still clear: Pogačar was cooked, cracked by multiple factors: repeated attacks by then Jumbo-Visma on the Col du Télégraphe and Col du Galibier, a failure of fueling and the heat, best shown by how he had to open his jersey for most of the climb once Vingegaard dropped him.

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Despite also changing coaches to Javier Sola and his physical capabilities significantly improving, winning the past two Tours, a Giro and 11 Monuments since then, Pogačar gave massive credit to UAE’s reformed fuelling and cooling strategies when it came to establishing his current dominance.

Perhaps at the perfect timing amid the searing hot temperatures that have been constant throughout the race, Pogačar and UAE are now the masters of temperature regulation, according to their top star.

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“I think the biggest change, if I look at my physical capabilities, I’m a bit better than back then, also I’ve improved, speaking about mentally, mine is growing as well and my experiences,” said Pogačar in his yellow jersey press conference in Bordeaux.

“I think one of the biggest changes that we could do as a team is the organisation around the feeding and having a really good hydration and nutrition, because this Tour is hellish hot, and for sure my body temperature is probably cooler than it was in 2022 or any Tour before.

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“We really keep focused on cooling down and I think that’s a big difference, and just planning, organisation, and motivation for the next days – it’s a big difference from what it was in ’22.”

Tadej Pogačar arrives to the finish line of the Col du Granon, after being well beaten on stage 11 of the 2022 Tour de France (Image credit: Getty Images)

Pogačar is constantly being cooled down as the stages rage on in temperatures over 35°C, with teammates bringing him ice socks and bidons full of cold water to ensure he never overheats.