"If I had an athlete doing that, I wouldn't be comfortable" - Groupama-FDJ coach casts concerns with Jonas Vingegaard's performance

A feud between Jumbo-Visma and Groupama-FDJ has marked the final days of the Tour de France. Comments on Jumbo-Visma's performances emerged, then followed by other comments on how the French team follows some unprofessional habits including alcohol... The discussion has not stopped and one of Groupama's staff directly comments on the performance of Jonas Vingegaard on the final week.

“Anyone who claims to have found the radar evidence of cheating is intellectually dishonest. The figures circulating on social networks concerning the records of ascents, power... should therefore be taken with a grain of salt," Groupama - FDJ performance director Frédéric Grappe told Eurosport. However he is keen on pointing out the difference between the Danish climber and the rest of the peloton. “What is interesting is to see the performance delta between riders in the same conditions. More than the gap between Vingegaard and Pogacar, what challenges is the delta between Vingegaard and the rest."

Read also

"If Primoz Roglic still wants a chance to win the Tour, he has to leave Jumbo-Visma" says Chris Horner

Following his triumph in the 2022 Tour de France, the leader of Jumbo-Visma struck again with a show of consistency and climbing prowess. Above all however was his performance on the race's sole time-trial, where he put a massive time gap into Pogacar, who himself put a massive time gap into the rest of the field. Ever since questions and accusations regarding illegitimate performances have been swinging around social media, but also within some teams.

Play along with our Fantasy Vuelta a España 2023. At least $28,000/€25,000/£21,000 in prizes! Click here to create your own Fantasy Vuelta a España team.

"If I had an athlete doing that, I wouldn't be comfortable," Grappe states. "I would ask myself big questions. I have more than respect for the work of Jumbo-Visma and no doubt about the integrity of Mathieu Heijboer (Jumbo-Visma's coach, ed.) who has a scientific approach. They know their athlete's records. If he has beaten them by 10%, they know it. And it is not possible to beat his records by 10% on a Grand Tour."

Read also

The riders who scored the most Prize Money at the 2023 Tour de France - Jonas Vingegaard tops standings with €551.970

"You've got a little way to go before you start comparing him to the likes of Eddy Merckx" - Robbie McEwen cools talk of Vingegaard being of the all-time greats

Team Visma | Lease a Bike

@vismaleaseabike

·Follow

🇫🇷 #TDF2023 Representing a dream, powerful and true 💛 #rideyourdreams Sound on! 🔊

Watch on Twitter

3.5K

Reply

Copy link

Read 27 replies