"I did not do a recon of the course yet because of the crash" - Jonas Vingegaard heading into the unknown with Tour de France time trial

The 2024 Tour de France takes on its first time trial this Friday afternoon. After his stunning performance against the clock twelve months ago, can Jonas Vingegaard put in a similarly impressive display?

Having safely navigated the threat of crosswinds and echelons on stage 6, Vingegaard sits 3rd overall, 50 seconds behind his great rival Tadej Pogacar. "It was a stressful day because of the wind," recounts the Dane in a post-stage 6 interview with Team Visma | Lease a Bike's official website. "We saw our chance as a team along the way to give it a try. Very briefly there actually were echelons. As a team we rode a strong stage today."

Whilst the crosswinds offered a potential opportunity, the time-trial has long been marked as a first week chance to make a difference. Sadly for Vingegaard, his massive crash at the Itzulia Basque Country earlier this year has somewhat ruined his preparations for the upcoming stage.

"I did not do a recon of the course yet," Vingegaard explains of his disrupted run into the 2024 Tour de France. "That was on the planning, but because of the crash in the spring it didn't come up. By my estimation, it's not super technical. It's a bit of a hilly course, but nevertheless I expect it to be a fast time trial. I definitely put Remco Evenepoel and Tadej Pogacar among the favorites for tomorrow. I'm going to do my very best to get the best possible result."

Vingegaard won't be the only Team Visma | Lease a Bike rider to hold ambitions of success on stage 7. Wout van Aert has proven his time trial capabilities in the past and may eye an opportunity to end his wait for a Tour de France stage win. "Tomorrow's time trial is going to be a very important day in this Tour," previews the Belgian. "It's a course for the typical time trial riders with long straights and beautiful and hilly roads. The climb in the middle is going to provide the most differences. I want to go full gas and see how far I can get."