‘Now, lads, I know you’re the best cyclists in the world - and some of the fittest, strongest, most athletic and durable specimens humankind has ever produced - but I thought I might just nick 19 seconds from the lot of you over 39km on the time trial today, if you don’t have any issues with that?!’ Ned Boulting, Matt Rendell, David Millar and Pete Kennaugh reflect upon a stunning display by defending champ Tadej Pogacar during stage 5 of the 2021 Tour - alongside several other fine performances from those in his wake. The relief is also palpable that the gang don’t have to describe any carnage on the road, on a day that Mathieu van der Poel put in a great shift to narrowly retain his yellow jersey. Sadly for him, mountains loom! We hear from him, Pogacar and a downbeat Geraint Thomas to boot.