"I'm not afraid of Jonas Vingegaard. Yesterday I was more afraid of Remco Evenepoel" - Tadej Pogacar assesses Tour de France rivals as race reaches first rest day
CyclingTuesday, 09 July 2024 at 10:41
Tadej Pogacar's dream of a historic Giro d'Italia - Tour de France double in 2024 is still very much alive at the Tour reaches its first rest day. In the Maillot Jaune after nine stages, the UAE Team Emirates leader holds a 33 second advantage in the general classification.
"Visma is trying to have confidence towards the third week, just like last year, but it doesn't affect me, because I also have a lot of confidence in myself. I have the yellow jersey and if everything goes well I should have good legs next week and in the final week," the two time Tour de France winner says in his rest day press conference, in quotes collected by Het Nieuwsblad. "On the second stage, when we rode up San Luca, we took the KOM there, but Jonas Vingegaard was able to keep my wheel. When you ride up San Luca so quickly, you are in shape. You can also see it in the way he rides in the peloton: Jonas is simply in shape."
As far as Pogacar's main rivals go, during the first week, Remco Evneepoel and the aforementioned Vingegaard seem to be the strongest. For Vingegaard especially, this is a slight surprise, given his near three month injury layoff following the horrific injuries sustained at the Itzulia Basque Country. "I didn't know how good he would be after his crash in the Basque Country, but when they announced Jonas for the Tour I knew they wouldn't let him start if he wasn't in shape," Pogacar assesses. "After stage 2 I knew I wouldn't be able to make big time differences with him. They tried to downplay Jonas' shape a bit. But I don't care about that and focus on my legs."
Nevertheless, on the gravel stage 9, it wasn't Vingegaard that Pogacar had to concern himself with as the Dane and his Team Visma | Lease a Bike teammates went into full on defensive mode. "Hats off to Remco. It's fun to race against him. He showed yesterday that he dares to race aggressively. He's really good and in good shape," Pogacar explains. "I'm not afraid of Jonas. Yesterday I was more afraid of Remco, but I'm not afraid of anyone as long as my own form is good. Yesterday I saw that Jonas was more afraid of me or others."
"When Remco had a gap, Jonas looked at me. He only focuses on me and is a bit afraid of me. We'll see how it goes in the mountains. If they try to get to me mentally, then I can say: that won't work. They're riding against me, but that's just me, that was the case in the past Tours too. I focus on myself," Pogacar continues. "The first part of the Tour consisted of nine stages, but it started rather quietly. Now there are stages where bigger differences can be made. I think we will see bigger time differences next weekend after stage 15."
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santiagobenites27-06-2025 - The decline of Spanish cyclingabstractengineer27-06-2025
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James2631827-06-2025 - May the doping commissioners be merciful to him — though nothing a fat envelope from his team couldn’t take care of.
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Senna196027-06-2025 - Please give feedback if you do, Not sure what they’re officially called as I’ve never been to one but to anyone who’s been to any of these specialist bike posture outfits that claim to optimise your position and bike for you, did any of them do any testing with varying crank lengths? Never heard any such feedback from people I listened to.Mistermaumau26-06-2025
What a load of bs.
Now Pogacar is coming to the mind games and the best one from him since I don't remember. Always, Visma camp plays this mind games and they had succeeded for the past two years but not this time. moreover, Pogacar's humblinity exiled the game. Now, Pogacar need to play their games and see what's there upto.... follow the wheels of Jonas easily and annoy him like he did and counter him..... These "high mountain" stuff delimas need to be answered.
(Even if it's boring)*, One thing I like about Jonas is he knows his limit and he didn't vulnerable himself on the stages where he didn't get anything. He is more cautious, calculated, efficient and mind gamer than Pogacar.
Really? I actually think this is the most desperate I've seen Tadej. Sometimes it's better to just let your legs do the talking instead of claiming another team is trying to get into your head.
where were you when Visma said those stuffs........ for this one just wait for two weeks
I agree, Pogi has changed completely this Tour in terms of his statements and attitude. Might be a little bit of Remco's influence but I think he just got sick of Visma's games
humblinity?
yep. He humbled himself when Visma trash talking for the years
When has Visma trashtalked? Jonas has consistently said Tadej is the best rider in the world, the team has too.
The mind games. Just wait till Pogi destroys Remco.