There is another record that Tadej Pogacar can add to his Tour de France 2026. It doesn't concern a stage victory or a mountain attack, but a day destined to enter the history of the Grande Boucle. The eleventh stage, from Vichy to Nevers, was indeed the fastest ever, covered at an impressive average of 50.9 km/h, and the yellow jersey wearer of UAE Team Emirates-XRG understood from the first kilometers that it would be an extraordinary race.

Fresh from his success the previous day at Le Lioran, the Slovenian experienced a stage without particular difficulties, limiting himself to controlling his general classification rivals before giving way to the sprinters. But the pace imposed by the peloton also struck a champion accustomed to racing at the highest levels.

"I immediately sensed the high speed," Pogacar recounted at the end of the stage. "It wasn't a particularly difficult fraction, but when we stopped for a brief pause it was crazy to rejoin the group. At that moment I thought: today we'll finish at an incredible speed".

The Slovenian's feeling proved accurate. The 161.3 kilometers to Nevers were completed at a record average of 50.9 km/h, the highest ever recorded in Tour de France history.

"It's fantastic to be part of the fastest stage in Tour history," added the world champion, explaining the reasons for such an elevated pace. "There were good chances that the breakaway would make it to the finish. The sprinters' teams had to control the race and chase very strong riders who had attacked. That's why the pace remained extremely high throughout the day".

The atmospheric conditions also contributed to making the stage even more spectacular. "The tailwind played an important role. With a headwind the speed would have been much lower. But when there's such a strong breakaway ahead, you're forced to pedal even faster".

Paradoxically, the most relaxed moment of the day came right at the finish. "Once we caught the breakaway riders we slowed down immediately. Between five and two kilometers from the finish we pedaled slower than in the rest of the stage. It was almost fun".

With the yellow jersey increasingly secure on his shoulders, Pogacar also took stock of this Grande Boucle. And the sensations couldn't be better.

"Honestly, I believe this is one of my best Tours at this point in the race. So far I haven't had any problems, neither physical nor off the bike. I'm sleeping well, the atmosphere in the team is excellent and I feel really good. Everything is going perfectly".

Finally, the Slovenian smiled when speaking about Novak Djokovic, following recent statements about the Serbian champion. "I've never met him, but it would be a pleasure. I know that every now and then he goes cycling and once he joked on Instagram saying he wanted to challenge me. I hope that could really happen one day. Maybe I'll try to challenge him at tennis too, although I think it would be a total disaster".

Evidently in good spirits, yesterday after the stage Pogacar also posted a photo - the one you see - with Jonas Vingegaard commenting: "Cycling is a difficult sport, it's nice sometimes to smile along the way. Cheers, Jonas".

Between speed records, an increasingly solid yellow jersey and a condition that he himself describes as excellent, Pogacar arrives at the heart of the Tour with the feeling of having everything under control. And for his rivals, this could be the most worrying news.