Jonas Vingegaard thinks his Tour de France rival Tadej Pogačar will probably be “higher than ever” this July because the pair put together to face off as soon as once more within the battle for the yellow jersey.
The pair have dominated the current historical past of the Tour, with Pogačar successful in 2020 and beating Vingegaard in 2021 earlier than ceding the title to the Dane in 2022 and 2023. Final yr, the Slovenian took his most dominant win but, successful by 6:17 after Vingegaard’s embattled preparation for the race.
Beginning on Saturday in Lille, they’re going to resume their rivalry on the street to Paris. Pogačar seeks a fourth title to place him stage with Chris Froome, one in need of the all-time report, whereas Vingegaard is trying to equal Pogačar’s complete of three.
Talking throughout Visma-Lease A Bike’s pre-Tour altitude coaching camp in Sierra Nevada, Vingegaard mentioned he is been concentrating on his personal form somewhat than worrying about some other riders. He did admit, although, that the world champion will probably be in even higher kind than he was final summer season.
“I feel he’ll be higher than ever on the Tour de France. So, clearly, I’ve to be higher than ever too,” Vingegaard informed Spanish broadcaster RTVE.
“I feel, general, my whole engine is rising. I really feel like I am bettering in each facet. We’re focussing on bettering each within the dash and in threshold and peak energy. So, as I mentioned earlier than, I really feel like I am bettering in each facet.”
Vingegaard has solely raced towards Pogačar as soon as up to now in 2025, ending second behind him on the Critérium du Dauphiné. He gained time within the mid-race time trial however misplaced much more within the mountains through the race’s last weekend.
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Each he and Pogačar lie among the many greatest Grand Tour riders in historical past, although Pogačar’s run of outcomes for the reason that begin of 2024 – together with the Giro, Tour, World Championships, 4 Monuments, and three WorldTour stage races – units him aside as probably the greatest racers in historical past.
Vingegaard, who retains his concentrate on stage racing somewhat than together with one-day races, acknowledged that his rival is “probably the greatest in historical past” earlier than reiterating that he is been focussing on himself on the run-in to their newest showdown.
“I do know that if I wish to win the Tour de France, I’ve to beat Tadej, and I do know he is in all probability probably the greatest in historical past,” Vingegaard mentioned.
“To do this, it’s a must to prepare on daily basis. In fact, once I exit on daily basis, I focus extra on myself, I concentrate on the way to attain the perfect stage attainable, however sure, I additionally know that, normally, if I wish to win the Tour de France, I’ve to beat him, too.”
Vingegaard is already stage on official Tour de France victories together with his childhood idol, Alberto Contador. He informed RTVE that he enormously admired Contador’s type, the Spaniard happening as some of the attacking racers of current Tour historical past.
Whereas he might not emulate Contador’s trademark victory celebration within the mountains of France this summer season, he’ll actually need to conjure up related accelerations if he is to beat Pogačar and choose up one other Tour title.
“My idol once I was a child was Alberto Contador,” Vingegaard mentioned. “I all the time favored his racing type; I favored the way in which he all the time attacked and wasn’t afraid of something. And, truthfully, I feel whenever you discuss who’s the perfect of all time, it is a tough query. However I feel Tadej is undoubtedly among the many greatest.”
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