"I hope Tadej Pogacar is at his best level" - Jonas Vingegaard wants another battle with the Slovenian at the Tour de France

The level that Tadej Pogacar will be at coming into the 2023 Tour de France has been much discussed following his crash at Liege-Bastogne-Liege. One man who hopes he is at his best is his great rival Jonas Vingegaard.

“I have not spoken to him, they will have to ask him about his form, but it would be nice if he was 100% at the Tour," said the 26-year-old Dane at a team press conference. "I hope he is at his best level," Vingegaard declared of his Maillot Jaune nemesis.

According to Pogacar, the effects of his crash are now behind him as he trains at altitude. Vingegaard meanwhile, is at the traditional Tour de France warm-up race, the Critérium du Dauphiné. "I feel less pressure because I already won the Tour, so even if I never win it again I can be proud of my career," says Vingegaard. “I don't know if I'm stronger than last year, I do know that my spring was better and that I didn't have any problems or illnesses. But it is difficult to compare, because for example, we have changed equipment.”

Earlier this year, the pair have already battled it out with Pogacar getting the better of the Jumbo-Visma leader. “Yes, he was also stronger than me in Tirreno last year. Paris Nice does not define the Tour," concludes Vingegaard.