How did van der Poel and Pogacar ride together to the finish?

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Van der Poel and Pogacar Committed Fully to a 10km Attack to the Finish Line

Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogacar rode together for approximately 10 kilometers, fully committing to an attack towards the finish line after escaping on the Montmartre climb. This joint effort saw them maintain a significant gap over the chasing sprinters, despite the latter gradually closing the distance. Ultimately, Van der Poel launched a decisive surge in the final 700 meters, leaving Pogacar to secure the stage victory.
Shared Commitment to an Extended Attack

The collaboration between Van der Poel and Pogacar began on the Montmartre climb, where they established a lead. Both riders then dedicated themselves to pushing the pace for the ensuing 10 kilometers, demonstrating a mutual understanding to maintain their advantage. This sustained effort was crucial in keeping a group of sprinters, who were only seconds behind, at bay for a considerable portion of the final stretch.
Pogacar's Acknowledgment of Mutual Effort

Tadej Pogacar described the dynamic between himself and Van der Poel as one of complete commitment, stating that there was "no words, no communication, we just both rode to the death, to the final." He further elaborated that "we both committed and he took a beautiful victory," emphasizing that the decision to go "all out" was a shared one. This indicates a tactical alliance formed in the heat of the moment to maximize their chances of reaching the line first.
Van der Poel's Final Surge for Victory

As the finish line approached, Van der Poel initiated a solo acceleration with approximately 700 meters remaining. This decisive move proved to be the turning point, as Pogacar was unable to respond and subsequently wilted. Van der Poel managed to hold off the charging peloton, including his own teammate Jasper Philipsen who came closest to catching him, to claim the stage win in a photo finish.

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How did van der Poel and Pogacar ride together to the finish?

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