The China Mail - 'Amazing' Pogacar-Del Toro friendship lights up Tour de France

The UAE Emirates-XRG team-mates then raised their index fingers either side of their racing helmets to replicate Del Toro's signature "bull's horns" celebration.

Del Toro had spent most of the last three weeks helping Pogacar to the brink of a record-equalling fifth Tour crown, and the Slovenian had just returned the favour to ensure the Mexican will finish the race on Sunday in third place overall and with the best young rider's white jersey.

"It really was an epic day, because what Tadej did was simply immense," said UAE team principal Mauro Gianetti.

On what was the toughest stage of this year's Tour with more than 5,000 metres of elevation gain and four monstrous climbs, Pogacar had spent most of the last 60km at the front of a group of overall favourites, helping his team-mate defend his position.

"He concentrated more on helping Isaac save his third pace to put him on the podium (in Paris), and the white jersey, rather than going for another stage win himself," Gianetti said.

"It really was a brilliant stage and the friendship between Isaac and Tadej is amazing," he added.

Pogacar had already won five stages during the Tour, but only after first gifting a stage victory to his 22-year-old team-mate -- on his Tour debut -- on the opening weekend in Barcelona.

After that second stage, Pogacar had seemed more happy than he was for any of his own stage wins, falling into his team-mates arms before waving a Mexican flag.

"We clicked quite quick when he came to the team. We had good energy around each other, good relationship, good humour," said Pogacar.

"Then we did some races together, he was always there for me 100 percent.

"He comes to the Tour, he could go to Giro, Vuelta, whatever, but he comes here and he's committed to win the biggest goal of the team, to win the yellow.

"He achieved the white jersey and podium, it's just incredible.

"I'm super, super happy for him."

- 'Massive respect' -

For once, the shoe was on the other foot with Pogacar.

His team-mates had done so much work to control stages to set him up for his successes, but they have been diminished this week.

Brandon McNulty had to leave the Tour on Thursday with flu-like symptoms, Adam Yates suffered from stomach problems, Tim Wellens felt unwell and Florian Vermeersch was carrying an injury.

That put a huge amount of strain on Felix Grossschartner and Nils Politt.

When they could no longer keep up on Saturday, Pogacar took over pace-setting duties for Del Toro.

With seventh-placed Spaniard Juan Ayuso in a breakaway five minutes up the road, Pogacar said he had started to worry Del Toro's third place could come under threat.

"So, I committed for Isaac and I realised in the end how really important are the team-mates that I have and I must say massive respect to each one of them," said the 27-year-old world champion.

For once he had the chance to feel how hard the job of a team-mate is in keeping their leader shielded from the wind.

"I think the cycling world doesn't realise how important is the team and how hard it is for the team that is riding for (the) yellow jersey and then also (the) white jersey.

"Today I realised that they're maybe better than most of the champions and they put everything for the team.

"I cannot explain more how grateful I am for the teammates after today."

Q.Yam--ThChM