Getting the shot: Pogačar won’t give up

Getting the shot: Pogačar won’t give up

James Startt explains how Tadej Pogačar's sprint for the finish in Megève lit up the finish of the favourites' group


Well, I think it is safe to say that I have never shot so many finish line shots on a Tour in my life. I generally avoid them to be honest, as they rarely are anything but average. This year, however, either I have found an interesting perspective, or the finish line itself offered a dramatic background.

That was the case at La Planche des Belles Filles, and it was again the case today at the aerodrome just above Megève. I have been here many times, especially in the Critérium du Dauphiné, and when I looked at the stage today, I knew I had to be at the finish.

The stage itself was short and offered few postcard shots. And while I knew the climb out of Saint-Gervais in the final 20 kilometres offered some spectacular views of Mont Blanc, I was less convinced by the frame when the race approached. 

Instead I focused on the finish. I told Bruno, my motorcycle driver, to leave the front of the race with five kilometres to go. At this point, there were still plenty of attacks and counter attacks. The winning move was far from decided. But I knew that I had to position myself at the line if I wanted to get the right perspective. 

Arriving, there was little space left, but I managed to squeeze in just underneath the France Télévision camera. First I focused on the sprint between Magnus Cort and Nick Schultz as their heads came over the horizon line in a gruelling drag race to the line. 


I really didn’t know what to expect from the peloton, as it appeared that Tadej Pogačar had accepted giving up his yellow jersey to Lennard Kämna, if even for a day. 

But instead, the first colour I saw coming into focus was the yellow helmet and jersey of Pogačar, sprinting madly to the line. For me, this is the real shot of the day, as Pogačar powers over the final rise, clearly not willing to give anything away. 

But then with Pogačar, would we expect anything else ?

Camera : Nikon D5
Lens : Nikon 70mm-200mm (set at 200mm)
Shutter speed : 1/1600th 
Aperture : F 5
ISO 640


READ MORE

EF Education-EasyPost riders at the Tour de France 2025

Tour de France 2025 team ratings: How all 23 squads stack up on the first rest day

Rouleur assesses the best and the worst-performing teams after 10 days of racing

Leggi di più
Tadej Pogacar

Powerplay: Tadej Pogačar puts on show of strength in the face of Visma's numerical force

World champion may have relinquished the race lead for the second time at this Tour, but he still remains in the driving seat

Leggi di più
Tour de France 2025 stage 11

‘We are the underdogs, so we have to be creative’ - A tactical masterclass or blunder from Visma-Lease a Bike at the Tour de France?

The Dutch team rode an aggressive race on stage 10 which ultimately gave them the day’s victory with Simon Yates, but failed to crack an...

Leggi di più
Ben Healy

‘His power file is extraordinary’ - Ben Healy and the magic of yellow

Inside the EF Education-EasyPost rider's monster effort on stage 10 of the Tour de France, which has put him in the yellow jersey going into...

Leggi di più
Simon Yates

Watts Occurring, Tour de France stage 10: A new yellow jersey and the best Yates we've ever seen?

Listen to the latest episode of Watts Occurring with Tom Fordyce and Luke Rowe

Leggi di più
Tour de France 2025 stage 11 preview: Sprint or breakaway?

Tour de France 2025 stage 11 preview: Sprint or breakaway?

A smattering of climbs in the final half of the stage could be enough to foil the sprinters' chances of a rare bunch finish in...

Leggi di più

READ RIDE REPEAT

JOIN ROULEUR TODAY

Get closer to the sport than ever before.

Enjoy a digital subscription to Rouleur for just £4 per month and get access to our award-winning magazines.

SUBSCRIBE