<\/p>\n
Those comments set the tone for one of the most open and candid reflections yet from a Visma rider about the challenge of racing Pogacar at full power.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe tried every card we could\u201d \u2013 the reality of taking on Pogacar<\/p>\n
Jorgenson made no attempt to sugarcoat Visma\u2019s tactical plan. Their goal, he said, was simple: probe for vulnerabilities early, disrupt Pogacar\u2019s rhythm, and hope to prise open even a momentary weakness. But the reality was brutal.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we tried every card we could against Pogacar because it’s not likely you’re going to beat him man to man in a normal situation. So we were looking for creative ways, let’s say, to beat him,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Visma entered the race with a clear plan to test the Slovenian during the opening block, aiming to exploit any off-days before the mountains. Yet Jorgenson admitted the team never saw a single crack appear. \u201cThe idea was to find one day in those first 10 days of the Tour a weakness in Pogacar, and we didn’t ever find it. He had a flawless race, other than a crash, which we didn’t take advantage of.\u201d<\/p>\n
Illness derailed Jorgenson\u2019s own GC hopes<\/p>\n
Jorgenson\u2019s personal Tour unravelled midway through the race, despite a strong opening week that briefly placed him fifth overall. A lung infection on the first rest day destroyed his momentum. \u201cThe first rest day, I got really sick with a lung infection and just didn’t really have anything in the high mountains,\u201d he said, ultimately slipping to 19th by the finish.<\/p>\n
Even so, his admiration for Pogacar never wavered \u2014 and his praise was emphatic. \u201cI think he’s by far the best cyclist I’ve ever seen race. And I think that’s awesome for the sport, but as his competitor, you’re always looking for weaknesses\u2026. And if you’re not, then it would make the Tour pretty boring.\u201d<\/p>\n