Tadej Pogacar taken aback by 'glory' question after Tour de France Stage 3 ahead of Jonas Vingegaard
By Ben Snowball
Updated 06/07/2026 at 19:32 GMT+1
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Tadej Pogacar appeared caught off guard by a question about "liking glory" after taking the leader's yellow jersey with victory on Stage 3 at the Tour de France, sparking a debate about whether the four-time champion is becoming a victim of his own success.
Highlights: Yellow changes hands as Pogacar sees off Vingegaard in Stage 3 duel
Video credit: TNT Sports
Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) moved level on time with Jonas Vingegaard overall before taking the race lead on countback after charging to his 22nd Tour stage victory, moving him joint-fifth on the all-time list and edging closer to Mark Cavendish's record of 35.
After the finish, however, it was the Slovenian's post-race interview that drew almost as much attention as his latest display of dominance.
Told by world feed interviewer Seb Piquet that he was "apparently very hungry", Pogacar shifted in his seat before replying: "I'm not so hungry, I eat one gel every 30 minutes.
"But if we can win, like we did today, and the team feels super good, you have to take the opportunity."
Asked if he also liked "glory", Pogacar shifted uncomfortably again before appearing keen to wrap up the interview.
"I don't know... I want to go on the rollers now," he said.
The interview ended on a cordial note, with Pogacar describing the yellow jersey as "a dream for any cyclist" but, over on The Breakaway, TNT Sports cycling expert Matt Stephens felt the exchange had "piqued" the four-time champion.
"He said 'Oh, I'm going to go now.' It was almost as if he was being accused of being too good. That was my takeaway from it," said Stephens.
"It's almost like, given he's winning so much, was he being made to feel guilty about what he's taking and how good he is? I think that sat a little awkwardly with him. It was quite telling actually."
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Highlights: Yellow changes hands as Pogacar sees off Vingegaard in Stage 3 duel
Video credit: TNT Sports
Pogacar's latest victory came after UAE spent much of the day reeling in a breakaway that had built a lead of around three minutes before setting up their leader perfectly for the finale.
The victory came just 24 hours after he sacrificed what could have been another Tour stage win by escorting team-mate Isaac del Toro to the finish rather than sprinting past him.
That gesture prompted widespread praise for Pogacar's selflessness. Stage 3, however, is likely to reignite the debate over whether UAE should continue chasing stage wins on days built for the breakaway.
"This is going to be a question, people will ask it, it will be in the press, we have to ask it," said Stephens.
"Is he too dominant? I think if you've got the ability you should take it [stage wins] but other people will have a counter view on it."
Robbie McEwen, a 12-time Tour stage winner, felt the exchange reflected just how dominant Pogacar has become.
"It's just so impressive. We want to see someone else be able to take him on, we want to see someone else able to beat him without him giving it away, but he's just so good," he said.
"That question was like, 'You're almost showing off a bit now'. I think that's why he seemed to take exception."
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