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Did Visma-Lease a Bike just bring a new tactic to its long Tour de France<\/a> rivalry with Tadej Poga\u010dar<\/a>?<\/p>\n Probably not.<\/p>\n Poga\u010dar was able to laugh off a rogue collision with a Visma-Lease a Bike team car ahead of Thursday\u2019s horror show stage through the Alps and up to Col de la Loze.<\/p>\n The world champion revealed he and his UAE Emirates XRG press officer rode into one of their rivals team\u2019s vehicles before the stage rolled out of Vif.<\/p>\n \u201cNews travels fast,\u201d Poga\u010dar laughed Thursday morning.<\/p>\n \u201cWe [Poga\u010dar 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\u2019t know if he wanted to brake check my brakes \u2026 I was not ready because I didn\u2019t see anyone in front,\u201d Poga\u010dar told ITV 4.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t see the reason to stop earlier, so we crashed into the car. I hit my chin, but it\u2019s ok.\u201d<\/p>\n A close encounter with a team Visma car might be the least of Poga\u010dar\u2019s worries Thursday.<\/p>\n This 18th stage of the Tour de France has been circled in every rider\u2019s calendar since the winter.<\/p>\n The Alpine monster loads more than 5,500 meters of ascent into three towering HC climbs<\/a>.<\/p>\n Poga\u010dar told ITV 4 he\u2019s braced for an onslaught from Vingegaard \u2013 who started the day 4:15 back \u2013 on this crucial \u201cqueen stage.\u201d<\/p>\n The Dane reiterated before the stage he\u2019s willing to risk his second-place position in the bid to win a third maillot jaune.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m ready for him to go full,\u201d Poga\u010dar said.<\/p>\n \u201cRisk everything? That\u2019s a little bit exaggerating, but risking second place, I understand. Today they will try,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s D-Day.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe brake checked me\u201d<\/p>\n Tadej Poga\u010dar reveals he crashed into the Visma | Lease a Bike car this morning #TDF2025<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/06XbCCuyhn<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 ITV Cycling (@itvcycling) July 24, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Updated: Video footage later surfaced of Poga\u010dar\u2019s close up with a Visma car \u2026 It\u2019s some stunt by Pogi.<\/p>\n