The Tour de France has a new master: Tadej Pogacar has crossed the finish line at Les Angles and reclaimed the yellow jersey. UAE Emirates-XRG has begun to demonstrate its full superiority and in three days of racing has already secured two victories, yesterday with Del Toro and today with Pogacar. As stated, the third stage of the Tour de France bears the signature of Tadej Pogacar. The Slovenian champion claimed victory in the stage that brought the race from Spain back to home roads, imposing himself at the end of the first major day in the Pyrenees and snatching the yellow jersey from Jonas Vingegaard, who had led the general classification after the opening team time trial in Barcelona.

A victory built with the strength of UAE Team Emirates-XRG, but above all with extraordinary teamwork. If twenty-four hours earlier it had been Pogacar who sacrificed his own ambitions to launch Isaac Del Toro towards his first Tour de France victory, today the roles were reversed. It was indeed the young Mexican who transformed himself into the perfect domestique, imposing a devastating pace on the final climb and opening the road for his captain.

Pogacar, just after crossing the finish line, immediately wanted to pay tribute to his teammate: "Look, the credit is his. It's Isaac's merit today".

Words that perfectly capture the spirit that breathes within UAE. "I believe I had an extra push in the final precisely because of him. He gave more than one hundred percent on the last climb".

Del Toro's work was decisive in selecting the group of the best riders and preparing the Slovenian's decisive attack. The idea of aiming for victory had not been planned from the start.

According to Pogacar, the decision matured as the kilometers passed, when the team realized they had the legs to control the race. "Halfway through the stage, the entire team decided it was possible to go and win. I'm really happy that we started the Tour this way and that today we experienced such a beautiful finale".

A choice that completely changed how the day unfolded and changed the name of the general classification leader. Many expected UAE to let the breakaway riders have their day, instead the team took control of the race, working to close the gap and prepare the finale.

When asked if he was driven by the desire to win at all costs, Pogacar smiled: "I wouldn't say I was that hungry". The explanation was very simple. "We thought it was possible to win today, and that's exactly what happened. The team is going very strong, so we need to take advantage of every opportunity. We try, we give our best and, when everything works, we win".

It's the philosophy of UAE Team Emirates-XRG: attack when the opportunity presents itself, without leaving anything to chance. Beyond the stage victory, the day also gives Pogacar the return to the top of the general classification. The yellow jersey thus passed from the shoulders of Jonas Vingegaard to those of the Slovenian champion, who adds another chapter to his extraordinary story with the Tour de France. The emotion, however, remains always the same. "Winning the yellow jersey is the dream of any cyclist, at any age".

Pogacar knows well the value of that symbol. "Every time I manage to put it back on my shoulders it's something truly special".

And about the future he prefers not to make calculations. "I don't know how long I'll be able to keep it, but I'll try to enjoy every single moment".

If there was still any doubt about the strongest team at this start of the Tour, the answer came in just two days. Yesterday Pogacar had given up personal success to accompany Del Toro towards his first victory at the Grande Boucle. Today the young Mexican returned the favor with one of the most generous performances of his career, transforming himself into the decisive man for his captain's success. A demonstration of unity that makes UAE Team Emirates-XRG even more formidable.

After the team time trial it seemed that Visma-Lease a Bike had launched the first signal of the Grande Boucle. Three days later, however, the Tour has already changed face. Tadej Pogacar has claimed his first victory in this edition, reclaimed the yellow jersey and demonstrated that, beyond his immense class, he can count on a team capable of making the difference in every situation.

And if yesterday the protagonist had been Isaac Del Toro, today it was the Mexican himself who delivered victory to his captain, closing an ideal passing of the torch that tells the whole story of the strength of the UAE group. The Grande Boucle is still long, but the message is crystal clear: to win the Tour de France, once again, you will have to reckon with Tadej Pogacar.