It has long been predicted that the 2023 Paris-Nice stage would be a fierce battle between Jumbo Visma and UAE Team Emirates.

On the approach to the mid-time bonus sprint on Monday's stage to Fontainebleau, when Vingegaard's teammate Nathan Van Hooydonk appeared to body-check Michael Matthews (Jayco Alura), the tension unexpectedly moment seemed to boil over.

A camera shot from the front appeared, at first glance, to show that Matthews had lined up alongside Van Hooydonk, who was leading UAE Team Emirates with 13.6 km to go, and was ramming Matthews hard right into him.

Commentator José de Kower laughed at the incident and said Van Hooydonk should be careful because "VAR is watching."

Van Hooydonck was unable to give Pogačar a six-second time bonus, placing him third behind Matthews. He later defended himself against a post from Sporza regarding the clash.

"I was pushed and stuck myself. José hasn't raced for a long time and I don't think he needs glasses," the Belgian replied.

If you look closely, you can see one of the riders in Pogachar's lead group on Van Hooydonk's left moving to the right in response to a Groupama-FDJ rider trying to join the pack.

As a result, Van Hooydonk's shoulder hit Matthews and the Jumbo-Visma rider was not penalized.

Pogachar won the sprint, putting him 12 seconds ahead of Vingegaard in the overall standings before Tuesday's team time trial.