Silence is not a part of the constant, ear-ringing din that is the Tour de France but when Tadej Pogacar conceded his fight for the yellow jersey was over, cracking on the slopes of the Col de la Loze, there was a noticeable hush amongst the waiting masses at the finish.
People grimaced as TV cameras focused on the two-time champion getting dropped some 14.3km from the line, and then being paced by UAE Team Emirates teammate Marc Soler up the highest climb of this year’s race (2304m).
