"It makes a difference of about a minute" - Concerns emerge over Jonas Vingegaard's KOM lead and how it can disrupt his time trial

Jonas Vingegaard is going into the Giro d'Italia's sole time trial very likely in the lead of the KOM classification, which will disrupt the team's plans and can cost time to the Dane. That is one of the biggest topics heading into stage 9, where the Team Visma | Lease a Bike leader would likely want to have his rival Diego Pablo Sevilla overtake him.

“That was not how we had planned it. We overlooked it a little,. Jonas said ‘I have ridden my best time trials in a leader’s jersey (Vingegaard referred to the 2023 Tour de France Combloux time trial, ed.).’ The aero coach will probably have something to say about that, but it is what it is,” Campenaerts said in words to Sporza.

Aerodynamic skinsuits, like the bikes and rider position, are highly specialized and specific to each rider. Someone like Jonas Vingegaard will spend a lot of time in the wind tunnel and training with the bike so as to perform in the discipline, something he must thrive in as a three-time Grand Tour winner.

Visma did not want to take over the race lead too early in this Giro d'Italia so as to avoid the extra podium ceremonies and media duties in the first half of the race, but also to ride the 42-killometer long time trial in his own perfected equipment.

But that is unlikely to happen now. That is because after the Blockhaus summit finish, he gathered 1 point more than previous KOM classification leader Diego Pablo Sevilla. The Polti rider hasn't been able to take it back yet. “Maybe tomorrow (Sunday's stage 9, ed.) is still a chance to hand over that jersey. Or maybe there are other possibilities.”

"It's actually a bit awkward. He is one point ahead of Diego Pablo Sevilla, and that is simply going to cost him time in the time trial," Thijs Zonneveld said on the In de Waaier podcast. "He dutifully handed the pink jersey to Eulálio, who has enough of a lead, because Vingegaard knew he wouldn't just ride himself into the pink jersey on Blockhaus. But he collected so many points there that he is suddenly ahead of Sevilla".

The Dutch pundit considered Vingegaard slowing down on the stage 7 summit finish in order not to take it, but that would not have been a clear choice. "Should he hold back, give Gall the victory, and give him the bonus seconds? That costs more than the time trial. What else could they have done? He didn't just pick up points by accident".

"In last year's Tour, Vingegaard and Pogacar were sprinting for the mountain points; that was completely pointless. It was an ego issue, and then Pogacar was suddenly in the polka-dot jersey. That wasn't the case here".

"It really is just a long time trial. Over 42 kilometers, I think it makes a difference of about a minute. If you want to let Gall catch up: thirteen seconds, with four seconds of bonus... But that really is a strange decision".

It is usual for the race to have a sewer in quick contact before a time trial, so as to test the equipment the day before the time trial and make adjustements accordingly to the time trial skinsuits. Whilst not a perfect fix, it is something that can cut some aero losses.

"But that is very limited. You can still do some sewing and such, but they spend the whole year in the wind tunnel to ensure that the right material is in the right place. It is different for every rider. The fabric Jonas Vingegaard has on his back in the time trial suit is different from what the organization has for him".

With such a long effort, set to take around 45 minutes, the psychological part is important. But aero wise, a different skinsuit can actually make a very tangible impact, which Visma will look to limit, if they go into the stage with the blue jersey.

"From a sporting perspective, I think there is a lot to be said for that, because teams put a lot of time, money, and energy into it. But it is simply a major Italian clothing sponsor who just wants to sell those suits. They don't want Vingegaard, or any other top rider, to ride in their own time trial suit".