'There was a misunderstanding, but Remco was better' – Tadej Pogačarsuffers a rare defeat as he turns domestique at Tour de France

PLATEAU DE SOLAISON, FRANCE - JULY 19: (L-R) Remco Evenepoel of Belgium and Team Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe, Isaac Del Toro of Mexico and Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates - XRG - Yellow Leader Jersey compete in the breakaway during the 113th Tour de France 2026, Stage 15 a 183.9km a 155.3km stage from Champagnole to Plateau de Solaison 1501m / #UCIWT / on July 19, 2026 in Plateau de Solaison, France. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images).

Jonas Vingegaard's sudden exit from the Tour de France changed Tadej Pogačar's race in an instant, and while the tactical intricacies will now be pored over ahead of the final week, the race leader had some on-the-fly decisions to make on Sunday's final climb.

Pogačar's closest rival crashed out of the race on the approach to the final climb on stage 15, which led to the remarkable scenario of Pogačar turning domestique for his teammate, Issac del Toro.