Former Tour de France champion Jan Ullrich has high praise for current sensation Tadej Pogacar, dubbing him as the “Eddy Merckx of our time” and expressing belief in his ability to secure a third yellow jersey at this year’s Tour de France. Ullrich also weighed in on the comeback of another cycling star, Jonas Vingegaard, following a serious crash that left him with significant injuries earlier this year.
Vingegaard, the reigning champion from the past two Tours, has been diligently training to make his return to competitive cycling after recovering from a punctured lung, broken collarbone, and fractured ribs sustained during the Itzulia Basque Country race in April. While some are optimistic about his chances at the upcoming Tour, Ullrich maintains that Vingegaard may not be in top form yet, given the limited time he has had to prepare for the grueling competition.
In contrast, Pogacar has been on a winning streak, most recently clinching victory at the Giro d’Italia with an impressive margin of almost 10 minutes. Ullrich sees the Slovenian rider as the standout favorite for the Tour de France, citing his exceptional performance in recent races and predicting that he is poised to add another title to his impressive collection from 2020 and 2021.
While acknowledging Pogacar’s dominance, Ullrich also highlighted the potential threats posed by other top contenders such as Remco Evenepoel and Primoz Roglic. Roglic, in particular, has been in stellar form and is not to be underestimated, having previously triumphed in the Giro and Vuelta. Ullrich emphasized the importance of experience in navigating the challenges of a Grand Tour, noting that past setbacks and triumphs can shape a rider’s approach to the race.
Despite the competition, Ullrich commended Pogacar for his carefree attitude towards cycling and his sheer love for the sport. He described Pogacar as a rider who exudes joy and passion for cycling, always eager to take on new challenges and push himself to the limit. Ullrich even drew parallels between Pogacar and cycling legend Eddy Merckx, showcasing his admiration for the young Slovenian’s talent and potential.
As the Tour de France looms closer, cycling fans eagerly await the showdown between the sport’s top talents. With Pogacar leading the charge and formidable competitors like Roglic and Evenepoel in the mix, the stage is set for an exhilarating and unpredictable race. Discovery+ will be offering live coverage of the Tour de France, ensuring that fans do not miss a moment of the action as the world’s best cyclists vie for victory on the grandest stage in cycling.
