"I’m a bit sore of course but that’s how it is" - Jonas Vingegaard survives hellish day for Jumbo-Visma

After stage five in the cobbles of northern France it wouldn't be expected to see Jumbo-Visma under such stress as today, however despite saving the day, the Dutch team sustained heavy losses on the last day of the second week.

With Primoz Roglic leaving the race in the morning to recover from his injuries it took Jumbo-Visma down to seven riders. However, another crucial supporting rider in Steven Kruijswijk also had to leave the race as he crashed en route to Carcassonne, leaving the team with only five riders left to support the yellow jersey - now equal to UAE Team Emirates. Not only that, but Vingegaard himself crashed, as did Wout van Aert and Tiesj Benoot in quick succession. 

Van Aert went on to finish the stage in second place, whilst Vingegaard arrived safely in the peloton. The team will have a day to recover from the injuries tomorrow, however the extra damage was not something that Jumbo-Visma were counting on.

At the end of the day Vingegaard spoke to reporters: “Primoz [Roglic] and Steven [Kruijswijk] are very important team-mates for me. They’re two very strong riders, so of course it’s not nice to have lost them today. It’s a disadvantage for us but we’ll keep on fighting all the way to Paris".

As for the damage from the crash, he details: "I have bruises on my left side from my crash. I went down but I got back up again. I’m a bit sore of course but that’s how it is after a crash.”

Seemingly superficial wounds that won't make much difference, however noticeable. Vingegaard was active early in the day trying to put Tadej Pogacar under pressure, however this crash will surely see him further into the defensive as the riders head into the Pyrenees.