“Hopefully he’s not gonna wheel suck like always...” - NBA superstar Joel Embiid calls out Jonas Vingegaard in random pre-Tour de France crossover
CyclingSaturday, 04 July 2026 at 15:30
The 2026 Tour de France has not even begun, and Jonas Vingegaard has already taken a playful hit from an unexpected corner of the sporting world. Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid joined the pre-race conversation on X with a very clear favourite for yellow, backing Tadej Pogacar and joking about the Dane’s racing style.
Embiid, the 2023 NBA MVP and one of basketball’s biggest global names, posted ahead of the 2026 Tour de France opener in Barcelona as anticipation builds around the latest chapter of the Pogacar-Vingegaard rivalry. “Le Tour De France is here!!!” Embiid wrote on X. “Can’t wait to see Pogi win again.. Vingegaard looks strong too. Hopefully he’s not gonna wheel suck like always lmao… Just kidding😂😂 #TdF2026”
Embiid joins the Pogacar-Vingegaard debate
Embiid was born in Cameroon, drafted third overall in 2014, and later crowned NBA MVP with the Philadelphia 76ers. Now one of the most recognisable names in basketball has turned up in cycling’s biggest pre-Tour argument.
His backing went the same way as many pre-race predictions: Pogacar to win again. The Slovenian starts the 2026 Tour as favourite for a fifth yellow jersey, with Vingegaard once more expected to be his biggest rival.
Vingegaard won the Tour in 2022 and 2023, before Pogacar reclaimed control in the following editions. Their rivalry has carried the race for years, mixing Pogacar’s attacking instinct with Vingegaard’s colder, more controlled way of racing.
“Just kidding”
Embiid’s “wheel suck” line taps into one of cycling’s sharper insults, usually aimed at a rider accused of sitting in the slipstream rather than sharing the work.
Vingegaard’s supporters would point to two Tour victories, repeated mountain dominance and one of the strongest Grand Tour resumes of his generation. Pogacar fans have often preferred the contrast: their rider as the more spontaneous attacker, Vingegaard as the more measured and selective rival.
Embiid kept the tone light, adding “Just kidding” and laughing emojis after the Vingegaard jab. On the eve of the Tour, though, even a throwaway NBA crossover found its way into the familiar split around cycling’s defining rivalry.
The race begins in Barcelona with a team time trial and the first yellow jersey of the 2026 Tour. Embiid has already picked Pogacar.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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Le Tour De France is here!!! Can’t wait to see Pogi win again.. Vingegaard looks strong too. Hopefully he’s not gonna wheel suck like always lmao… Just kidding😂😂 #TdF2026
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