Ullrich praise for Pogacar: 'The yellow jersey is giving him wings'

Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates celebrates winning the fourth stage of the 111th edition of the 2024 Tour de France cycling race, 139,6 km from Pinerolo, Italy to Valloire, France. Jan De Meuleneir/Belga/dpa

Former Tour de France champion Jan Ullrich has heaped praise on Tadej Pogacar after the Slovenian reclaimed the yellow jersey in impressive fashion in the Alps on Tuesday.

Germany's only Tour winner Ullrich, in 1997, was a Eurosport pundit for the first time since confessing to doping practices in November, and hopes for rehabilitation.

He has said that cycling remains his love, and he spoke highly of the 2020 and 2021 winner Pogacar who is seeking a first Giro d'Italia/Tour double since Marco Pantani in 1998 after winning the Italian race in May.

Pogacar left all rivals behind in the final stages of the gruelling climb up the Col du Galibier to win the fourth stage of the 111th Tour in style.

"The yellow jersey is giving him wings," Ullrich said. "Pogacar has this ease. He can handle the pressure. He knows what he's capable of and knows what his team is capable of."

UAE Team Emirates team's Slovenian rider Tadej Pogacar celebrates on the podium after winning the Fourth Stage of the 2024 Tour de France cycling race, 139,6 km from Pinerolo, Italy to Valloire, France. Garnier Etienne/L'EQUIPE/dpa
UAE Team Emirates team's Slovenian rider Tadej Pogacar celebrates on the podium after winning the Fourth Stage of the 2024 Tour de France cycling race, 139,6 km from Pinerolo, Italy to Valloire, France. Garnier Etienne/L'EQUIPE/dpa

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