In a candid admission following a challenging time trial at the Tour de France, Jonas Vingegaard acknowledged that his performance was “one of the worst I’ve done in a long time.” This setback resulted in him losing over a minute to his key competitors, particularly to the formidable Tadej Pogačar, the current yellow jersey holder. Addressing the media before Stage 6 in Normandy, Vingegaard expressed a sense of disappointment, stating, “Obviously, I was a bit disappointed yesterday. I hoped for a lot more.” Yet, he maintained a positive outlook, adding, “But on the other hand, I had a good night of sleep and today is a new day. The Tour is long, so we’re still optimistic.”
The day before this troubling time trial, Vingegaard had showcased a powerful performance on a steep 800-meter incline with a gradient of 10.6%, a type of climb that typically suits Pogačar. Vingegaard was one of the only contenders able to keep pace with Pogačar’s fierce attack during that segment of the race, briefly finding himself distanced but quickly managing to reattach himself to Pogačar’s wheel. His earlier consistency also allowed him to secure eight bonus seconds in the initial stages, suggesting that he was evolving into a more adaptable version of the two-time champion he is reputed to be.
In a lighter moment, Vingegaard hinted at the possibility of expanding his racing calendar in future seasons, mentioning, “Maybe I’ll go to the Classics, Tour of Flanders next year.” For the moment, however, his primary focus lies in salvaging his current Tour campaign. The results from the time trial saw him drop to fourth place overall, now trailing Pogačar by 1 minute and 13 seconds. When questioned whether he still carried the same level of confidence that he had at the Grand Depart in Lille, Vingegaard reassured reporters, “Of course, my shape is still good. I showed it two days ago.”
Reflecting further on his disappointing time trial, he remarked, “Yesterday was not the day I hoped for, and not the legs I hoped for. I think it was one of the worst time trials I’ve done in a long time. Obviously, we have to look at what went wrong – if something went wrong.” His comments underscore the pressure he is under as he seeks a third title at the Tour de France, having previously clinched victories in 2022 and 2023.
With 16 stages still remaining in the race, there is ample opportunity for Vingegaard to recover and make a significant comeback. However, the challenge he faces is becoming increasingly daunting as he attempts to bridge the gap to Pogačar and other rivals. TNT Sports pundit Adam Blythe shared his insights during a segment of *The Breakaway*, stating, “If I was the team, I wouldn’t be too concerned about the time gap for now. It’s a long race.” Nevertheless, he acknowledged the implications of Vingegaard’s performance, suggesting that it would raise “a few eyebrows, a few questions and a few concerns within the team.”
Blythe further elaborated on the strategic aspects of Vingegaard’s uphill battle, noting, “The worry for me is how can he take that much time out of Tadej?” He assessed that Vingegaard might be wagering on a singular mountain stage, hoping for a moment when Pogačar falters, but stressed that his success would necessitate a consistent series of strong performances rather than relying on just one extraordinary day. This scenario places a substantial amount of pressure on Vingegaard as he strives for redemption in the ongoing cycling marathon, highlighting the unpredictable nature of professional cycling and the mental fortitude required to keep pace with champions like Pogačar.
