Rafael Carrasco: "I see Enric Mas neat, well placed and helpful at all times"

THE STAGE

This is the longest on the Tour, which has been controversial from the start, riding at a very high average, where the race leader has attacked. He starred in the escape and almost 200 km escaped, mad, but the quality is impressive. I think the Jumbo-Visma team’s aspiration was to boost the career, because they had to force the running of the stages to tire the leader team.

THE FAVORITES

Roglic appeared, at the end, in the last meters of the sprint, but it turned out that he attacked too early, Pogacar grabbed his wheel and accidentally threw him. The other, the leader, Van Aert, escaped nearly 200 km. He made a sensational exhibition, but then he did not see the necessary prize and lost the yellow. Everything goes in favor of Pogacar

THE SPANISH

I saw very well Enric Mas, leading all the time, attentive to the movements of rivals. I think it was important and he did it with ease. I think he is on the right path. He made some mistakes in the beginning, but now he is very careful, waiting for the stages that are better for him.

CAREER SITUATION

I can now see that Pogacar is gaining seconds more than the others. He is already in the lead and the weight of the yellow is huge, you have to do medical check-ups, press conferences, award ceremonies …, and all this adds up. We’ll see how Pogacar handles this. I think, from now on another Tour will start, especially on Friday’s stage, where Jumbo will have to fight to see if Pogacar accuses him

THE FRIDAY STAGE

Stage of 163 km, with two ports of the 3rd category, one the first and the finish line above. This is going to be a vulnerable stage. We’ll see how the Jumbo team works and what stage approach is needed, and we’ll see what Pogacar’s response is. You have options to win on stage, always depending on how it develops