# 'I couldn't sleep long because I was so excited' – Despite flashbacks and an early wake-up, Tadej Pogačar takes complete control of Tour de France on first mountain stage

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-07-10 00:07 UTC · Category: Sports

## Executive Summary
Tadej Pogačar seizes complete control of the Tour de France on the first mountain stage following a record-breaking performance.

## Intelligence Brief
Recent coverage from Outside Magazine, Cycling Weekly, and Cyclingnews details the events of the Tour de France as rider Tadej Pogačar takes complete control of the race on the first mountain stage. Outlets report that UAE Team Emirates dominated the Col du Tourmalet to secure the Tour de France lead for Pogačar, who also crushed the Col du Tourmalet record according to a power analysis published by Outside Magazine. Cycling Weekly and Cyclingnews emphasize different reactions to the dominance, noting that a sombre mood descended over the Tour de France after the latest exhibition by Pogačar. Articles also question whether the rider consumes too much and whether he wins too much, posing the specific question of whether one would give away stages.


The reporting highlights the immense physical and tactical strength displayed by the rider and his team during the mountain stage. Context provided across the sources establishes that this pivotal moment occurred on the first mountain stage of the current Tour de France race. The coverage frames the performance within the ongoing competition, highlighting the strategic deployment of UAE Team Emirates on the Col du Tourmalet. While specific historical comparisons are limited by the available headlines, the reporting underscores the magnitude of taking complete control of the general classification lead at this stage of the event.


Future coverage will need to track how competitors respond to the commanding lead established by Pogačar and UAE Team Emirates. The current reports do not yet specify the tactical adjustments other teams might make in upcoming stages, nor do they detail the exact reactions of race organizers beyond the noted sombre mood. Observers will monitor whether the discussion surrounding dominant stage wins and team control influences racing dynamics as the Tour de France continues through the mountains.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| Outside Magazine | Power Analysis: Tadej Pogačar Crushes the Col du Tourmalet Record | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiywFBVV95cUxOczI5QUFZRS1hTTJtZ3Zndkl3ekhKVmtRQkpmTXhkTzVRNFVoXzV6LXNqUEdFWHdGMHgzNzhRekxxeGJ1em1sZTZsU1UwT29pREhfUkxQZV9OM1pvSTI1dEpDMF9hVGlkYmk1dTg1bTM3ZFhOcGlVZ3d3bU94eTRXc2ZrSHFuR2pSTGgtSDdobW1PUVZiWUVCRHlHQ09RVkstYWZ1emNDcGVBUkJhMEtEc1JLczVJZ2tkZnZJdDdlMGFOZHZFVFAtMld3cw?oc=5) |
| Cycling Weekly | Sombre mood descends over Tour de France after latest Tadej Pogačar exhibition | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiygFBVV95cUxNR3ZJX2ZpUGZRbXV4d050dEFvclhQOVFKQ2ViTVpUYXBFZXNyd2J2RHlHaEtJZDFRSWlmYjhXeDNHWlgzZnBNMnpoa1VadVJEWjAtMDVzT18xT1FxTFBFSzRxTjVGNVliVEE0WF9hSnoyTUtXUWdoZ3Fwb1VSV0p3bHdSeXlxc0VYckp4bWstTjkwN0dRTEZvQ0w2VHV4emRtV0RoUEpxRGdxT3Z6UDhBWml1a2EwLTNma2JRdTlCNmM3V0FtbUYwandn?oc=5) |
| Cyclingnews | UAE Team Emirates dominates Col du Tourmalet to secure Tour de France lead for Pogačar | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMihgJBVV95cUxNbURpWkR1SGgxcGo1ZEs5Wm5XZS1TSEpkMEJtbUR3MlRMOE5uaHMyZURFb1QwRHhadGlGcmI4U2hqS2VaWnB2MDR1M19Qc3lESXZPUndPZUJyRFFRUklOT1I2RnFPem4wMFNobGtReTdkM2pTcUEyWmxUQkt0bEY1S3VFcnJIQkViSjBNUUNqcXBjZWc4ME9hZk5XaGpoQ2swLXQyc3AwN2hyMElLdGpQMHFHV0dwUmxxYi1TVldoT09hME1hUHEyb3lkMW9YaGRQdW9HOFhHbnYtdmpVbEp6ZDBRd3ZNckp0Rlp0RWxHamkwYjlqZmJRWlRsa3RDTUczbmEwSTZ3?oc=5) |
| Cyclingnews | 'Would you give away stages?' – Tadej Pogačar consumes all on Col du Tourmalet at the Tour de France but does he win too much? | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi_AFBVV95cUxQNDB3S0c4aXByUFJ3YXdDdkMxMC0zVGtyVVY5WGI2b2xYVmtNeHYtVEY0cjQxZDF5ZU9pVFB5a2lDVUtLemdGZGxudmNQMUFQdmRtOU1GQWFncVFrRHg1TUlzbWRpMnRoVGpha3ItSzR1UE5iSjl5MkpNTU96TEw5azRteDgxOGZleURpZEZHV0U5d2ZUQmtURGtWTUQwTjFiMzJCUzBXT1pJTVlCbWViMVlJcHZJR18tcW5IYXFzYkhSZGszbW5YSlNJWVItMHkxbWZBUVRQTG9HUWgyYzFGeEY3T2VOOWxYSFRhWUhvYlRvMEFHbmQ2THZqR28?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-07-10/i-couldn-t-sleep-long-because-i-was-so-excited-despite-flashbacks-and-an-early*