So many theories about Vingegaard “He has no chance” “He only starts if he will be able to win” “He just needs to survive week 1” “He will be the best rider in week 3” “He will collapse in week 3” To be honest, I really dont know which one I agree with the most…
"I hear from good sources that Jonas Vingegaard is more than ready" - Former Visma rider Laurens De Plus shares his knowledge of defending Tour de France champion
CyclingFriday, 28 June 2024 at 10:00
Very rarely in recent years has so much discussion been made of just the mere presence on the startline of the Tour de France, than in 2024 and the recovery by Jonas Vingegaard.
Not even a punctured lung, broken bones and spell in intensive care following a disastrous crash at the Itzulia Basque Country earlier this year could stop the Danish leader of Team Visma | Lease a Bike defending his Tour De France crown. Whether or not the two time, back to back Maillot Jaune winner will be able to challenge the likes of his old rival Tadej Pogacar and former teammate Primoz Roglic however, is a massive question. We don't have too long left to find the answer.
Laurens De Plus will be present at the 2024 Tour de France, riding in the colours of the INEOS Grenadiers. As a former Jumbo-Visma (now Team Visma | Lease a Bike ed.) rider however, the Belgian might have picked up some inside knowledge on probably the biggest talking point in cycling currently... the health and fitness of Jonas Vingegaard.
"I hear from good sources that Vingegaard is more than ready," De Plus says in conversation with Het Laatste Nieuws ahead of the 2024 Tour de France. Despite this news, De Plus still doesn't fancy Vingegaard to take the Maillot Jaune either. "UAE Team Emirates stands out, both in terms of team and leader. Tadej Pogacar is the absolute top favourite. He wants to write history and has already won everything this year."
De Plus can see one potential sticking point for Pogacar though. "The heat may be killing him. It is common knowledge that he does not like racing in extreme heat. You can work on that, but it is mainly innate or not," the Belgian concludes. "But racing in the heat suits me. Since the focus of this Tour - the final week - is in the south of France, a warm edition is also predicted."
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- It's going to be a great fight! I hope JV gets there in shape, Pogi aswell! And, I hope the Giro wont be a goal, but the Vuelta instead. Let Wout do his Giro (or Jorgensen as GC he can still do the Tour after or the Vuelta) Then, JV and Pogi, will have a match in both the Tour and the Vuelta! (Given Pogi goes for the Tour-Vuelta this time)Stitz08-11-2024
- Dumb and dumber...two of the worst cycling commentators to listen too ! Roll sounds like he's going through puberty half the time with his comments.frieders308-11-2024
- Il faut une enquête antidopage complète sur (au moins) PogacarFredoFredo07-11-2024
- Le mec était hyper chargéFredoFredo07-11-2024
- Ca continue avec l'Ă©quipe UAEFredoFredo07-11-2024
- C'est Evenepoel qui a gagné cette courseFredoFredo07-11-2024
- the “cloud of shame” thing has a lot to do with the cycling world’s REACTION to a doped rider, not simply whether or not they doped. merckx got caught over and over, but clearly no cloud of shame affixed by cycling culture to him. same with countless tdf champions and other legends i won’t list again at risk of belaboring the point.OCexile07-11-2024
- He was supposed to race Tour + Vuelta, but since Pogacar and Vingegaard are going there, he changed to Giro + Tour (just to try to win the yellow jersey at the 1st week and the ITT probably). Against Roglic he has a bit more chances in Italy. Press will consider him as the favourite anyways, as usual. Other contenders not to underestimate will be Ayuso and Jorgenson. Now he's just waiting to see how many kilometers the ITTs will have. to formalize his participation.Acapulco07-11-2024
- Oh look. CUD leans into another doper for commentary. Hey guys - there are other people to talk to... You know... people who didn't leave the sport in a cloud of shame...critguy07-11-2024
- Its results will mainly depend on him, though.Acapulco07-11-2024