"It was emotional to see all the reactions from my supporters" - Jonas Vingegaard thanks fans for continued support after stunning stage win at Tour de France

For Jonas Vingegaard, the 2024 Tour de France has been an incredible display of resilience and strength. After a nightmare preparation, few believed the Dane would be on top form for the Tour, but on stage 11, Vingegaard looked as good as ever.

Following his horrific crash at the Itzulia Basque Country earlier this year, Vingegaard was a massive doubt to even start the Tour de France. On stage 11 though, the Dane defeated his great rival Tadej Pogacar in a two-up sprint after an astonishing day of racing, to announce to the world that a third consecutive Maillot Jaune is still very much a realistic proposition for the Team Visma | Lease a Bike leader.

The morning after his emotional victory, Vingegaard spoke ahead of stage 12, thanking his fans for their continued support over what has been some of the most difficult months in the entire career of the two time Tour de France winner. "It was emotional to see all the reactions from my supporters yesterday," Vingegaard says in quotes collected by Team Visma | Lease a Bike's official social media pages.

"I'm just so happy at this moment," Vingegaard continues. "There is a bit more pressure now than before the start of the Tour. But that will not affect me. I have proven in the past that I can handle it."

There is indeed a vast difference in expectations surrounding Vingegaard. The Dane no longer portrays a recovering rider, instead he is now a very viable and realistic threat for Tadej Pogacar and with still many stages and many climbing days to come, that 1:14 deficit in the general classification could very easily overturn in favour of the Team Visma | Lease a Bike leader, who still sits 3rd overall with Remco Evenepoel sandwiched between the two superstars at 1:06 down on Pogacar.