"It would be strange if anyone could suddenly reach their level": Boogerd looks forwards to a Pogacar-Vingegaard duel
CyclingWednesday, 01 July 2026 at 09:00
The 2026 Tour de France victory is expected to be settled in a duel between Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard. Not much has changed in this regard over the past years. But according to Michael Boogerd, this does not take away from the spectacle in the slightest. Especially as the Slovenian appears to be extremely motivated to join the history's greats at five overall titles.
The motivation is apparent from the way Pogacar's teammates from UAE Team Emirates - XRG approach racing. Whilst Tadej Pogacar dominated the Tour de Suisse, his further three teammates managed to sneak into the final top-10.
But of course, it's Pogacar's great exploits that catch an eye. "When you see how he is starting the summer, it doesn't suggest a rider who is at the end of his tether," says the analyst for NOS.
The Dutch expert has no doubts that Pogacar is ready to do everything to prevail this July. "When you see him racing, you see a rider who is motivated down to his little toenail. He wants to win. He is back for his fifth."
Pogacar is not boring
The pool of favourites is as deep as most years this decade, yet Boogerd doesn't find the dynamics dull at all. In fact, he enjoys the spectacle that Pogacar always promises to deliver. Be it in the mountains, or in any other favorable race situation.
"No, the Tour is never boring. Pogacar races in a completely different way than in the classics, where he attacks as early as 60, 70, or 80 kilometers from the finish," he explains. "He won't do that in the Tour. So it will remain exciting until the final climb."
Pogacar and Vingegaard will be the headline acts at the Tour de France
Analysts are trying to vouch for French hope Paul Seixas, or Red Bull duo Florian Lipowitz and Remco Evenepoel as potential candidates to take on the overwhelming duo, but Boogerd is not one of them.
"I am looking forward to that Vingegaard-Pogacar duel," concludes Boogerd. "And as for the rest, with all due respect, it would be very strange if they could suddenly reach the level of those two now."
Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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- were we told this by mus musculus or one of his many predecessors?Ketterechts01-07-2026
- Ditto. On any given day, in the right situation... Wout can and has gotten over on Pog. Too bad we won't get a rematch on the Rue Lepic this year.mrvco01-07-2026
- Favourites for the TTT for sure
Rafionain-Glas01-07-2026 - Some people are saying that Jonas is no longer Jonas Vingegaard, but "Jonas Hansen."mus-musculuspeedypogigonzales01-07-2026
- A moment of silliness: Perhaps after Pogačar has won 6 Tours (or 7), 6x Lombardia, 4x Flanders, Roubaix, the Vuelta, and a few more Liege, meaning that he’s on the top of as many lists as possible, he will take a small breather, bulk up, and become a sprinter. It’s the only thing he hasn’t mastered completely yet.RidesHills01-07-2026
- I'm asking once again, what did I write in may upper comment to make you become so mean. All my comments are true and competent, yours aren't. That's the difference between you and me.mus-musculuspeedypogigonzales01-07-2026
- good to know. then i think i will postpone the start of my professional career to after the olympic games in 2028 ...Ketterechts01-07-2026
- Let's hope he something, wasted himself under Lefervre towards the end..as he missed tours due to him
leedorney01-07-2026 - Errr how can you shape the race when you do not even have a team leader. Thomas fab rider but is like a director sportif from the 80's. Come on instead od spouting jargon just say we are going for stage winspaultryan200201-07-2026
- Despite the headline this piece had nothing to to with Vins wife. Clickbait at it''s worst and more than a bit pathetic cyclinguptodate.Cyclingsbestfan01-07-2026
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