"It's like a new Jonas Vingegaard that we haven't met before" - Robbie McEwen suggests Visma leader has been 'Pog-ified' at 2025 Tour de France

Jonas Vingegaard might be sitting 4th in the general classification after the first 8 stages of the 2025 Tour de France, 1:17 down on his arch-rival Tadej Pogacar, but according to 12-time Tour stage winner Robbie McEwen, the Dane has plenty of reason to be positive.

"I think he's showing more attacking initiative," the 53-year-old Australian sprint legend analysed of Vingegaard's first week and a bit at the Tour de France so far on TNT Sports' coverage, noting how not just the more aggressive riding, but also a newer, more personable side of the Team Visma | Lease a Bike leader has been showcased. "Maybe he's been Pog-ified," McEwen suggests. 

"Everybody loves that style of racing, everybody talks about it. And maybe Jonas is discovering it's something that suits him too and finding enjoyment in racing," McEwen continues. "If you're going to suffer that much, it's got to at least be entertaining for yourself."

As mentioned, despite Vingegaard's attacking spirit, the Dane is trailing Pogacar in the general classification after 8 stages, with more than a minute gap between the two-time Tour de France winner and another Maillot Jaune. In spite of this however, McEwen hasn't seen much to separate the Dane and his great rival on the road.

"Jonas has shown that, apart from that anomaly of a time trial, they are really evenly matched," explains the Aussie expert. "Every time Tadej has tried to go and make things hard or get a gap, Jonas has blown up only a few seconds before and then got back on the wheel. In the sprints, he's right on his wheel."

"It's like a new Jonas Vingegaard that we haven't met before," McEwen adds in conclusion. "His relaxed manner, he seems to be smiling a lot more, he's very upbeat. Other than the time trial, he's looked really positive about things."