The opening stage of the Tour de France has come and gone, and while some riders may have been disappointed with their performance, Tadej Pogačar, the young Slovenian rider from Team UAE Emirates, had a reason to be pleased. Despite not gaining any time advantages, Pogačar expressed satisfaction with his team’s efforts, stating that they “tested the legs a little bit” and are looking forward to Sunday’s possible GC test on San Lucag.

The first stage of the Tour de France, which took place in Rimini, Italy, saw a thrilling bunch sprint finish, with Elia Viviani (Deceuninck-QuickStep) ultimately claiming the stage victory. Pogačar, who was one of the favorites going into the race, finished fourth, narrowly missing out on a podium spot.

However, despite not gaining any significant time advantages, Pogačar remains optimistic about his chances in the race. In an interview after the stage, he expressed satisfaction with how his team performed, saying that they “tested the legs a little bit” and are looking forward to Sunday’s possible GC test on San Lucag.

Pogačar’s positive attitude is understandable, given the fact that the first stage was largely flat and did not offer many opportunities for time gains. Moreover, with the race still in its early stages, there is plenty of time for him to make up ground and challenge for the overall victory.

In fact, Pogačar has a reputation for being a strong climber, and he will be eager to test his legs on the mountainous terrain that lies ahead. The San Lucag climb, which features in Sunday’s stage 2, is expected to provide a first real test of the riders’ climbing abilities, and Pogačar will be looking to make his mark there.

Overall, while stage 1 may not have gone exactly as planned for Pogačar, he remains a strong contender for the Tour de France title. With his team’s support and his own climbing abilities, he is well-positioned to challenge for the yellow jersey in the coming days.

In conclusion, Tadej Pogačar’s fourth-place finish in stage 1 of the Tour de France may not have been the start he was hoping for, but he remains optimistic about his chances. With a strong team behind him and his own climbing abilities, he is well-positioned to make a push for the overall victory in the coming stages.