Pogacar plays down yellow jersey after Evenepoel wins Tour time trial

CAEN, France: Three-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar played down the importance of taking over the yellow jersey after Belgian rider Remco Evenepoel stormed his way to an impressive victory in the fifth-stage time trial on Wednesday.

Pogacar, who started the day in second place on the same time as leader Mathieu van der Poel, produced one of his best time trials on the 33km route around Caen to finish just 16 seconds behind the world and Olympic champion to leave Van der Poel and fellow challenger Jonas Vingegaard struggling in his wake.

The Slovenian, who now holds a 42sec lead over Evenepoel with Vingegaard over a minute behind, is the first rider since Eddie Merckx in the 1970s to hold all three of the main jerseys — the general classification, points and king of the mountains.

“I’m super happy with how I rode today, to be 16 seconds behind the world champion, the Olympic champion, the best time triallist in the world right now,” Pogacar said after the stage.

“It’s a very good day and I’m happy, but I’m just happy this day is over and we can keep the ball rolling in this Tour de France.

“The most important (jersey) is yellow, and the most important time to have it is on the Champs-Elysees at the finish line.

“Now, it’s not that important. It feels good, but the important thing is to have it in Paris.”

Evenepoel completed the course in 36min 42sec at a blistering average speed of 54 km/h. Italian Edoardo Affini finished third, 33sec behind.

It was Evenepoel’s second stage win on the Tour de France, having triumphed in the time trial in Gevrey-Chambertin last year on his debut in the Grande Boucle.

“I knew I had a good chance but, of course, the legs still have to be there and everything has to go to