"Bad luck will hopefully not be decisive" - Tiesj Benoot optimistic for Jonas Vingegaard on Tour de France's gravel stage

With another day of racing in the legs of Jonas Vingegaard at the 2024 Tour de France, confidence within Team Visma | Lease a Bike seems to growing day by day as their leader continues to mix it with the best at the top of the general classification.

On Sunday's stage 9 however, arguably the biggest test yet awaits Vingegaard and the rest of the Maillot Jaune hopefuls as rather than in the high mountains where the strongest will nearly always prevail, the gravel stage around Troyes could see luck provide a potentially killer blow to a general classification rider, no matter how strong their legs are.

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As such, Vingegaard's Team Visma | Lease a Bike teammates will have a very important role to play on the gravel, keeping their leader towards the front, as safe and as out of trouble as he can be on such a dangerous stage.

"I hope for a nice day tomorrow, where bad luck will hopefully not be decisive," previews Tiesj Benoot to Team Visma | Lease a Bike's official website. "I see possibilities for us. We have many classic riders in the team who can do well on such a course. Also Jonas already proved he can always position himself well in hectic conditions. Although Pogacar will be a tough opponent. He already showed his quality in Strade Bianche. It will be a fun stage to follow."

With Vingegaard currently sitting 3rd in the general classification after 8 stages, 1:15 down on his arch rival, Tadej Pogacar, the Dane's former teammate, Primoz Roglic is also lurking dangerously behind in the fight for the podium at just 21 seconds down on Vingegaard. With so much to play for and so much at risk on stage 9, the opening week of racing at the 2024 Tour de France is set to be brought to a close with a bang!

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"Tomorrow’s stage will be one of the most watched sporting events of the year” - Remco Evenepoel admits nervous anticipation as 2024 Tour de France takes to the gravel

"If you puncture at the wrong moment you will lose time" - Tadej Pogacar aware of danger posed by gravel stage at the 2024 Tour de France

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