“It’s where he has already put Pogacar under pressure” - Contador reveals the key for Vingegaard to win the Tour de France

Jonas Vingegaard, star of Visma - Lease a Bike, looks ahead to the 2026 Tour de France after winning his first Giro d’Italia in May, a step that strengthens his case to challenge again for the French crown. The Dane has a clear target: reclaim the yellow jersey that Tadej Pogacar seized in 2024.

In their rivalry over recent years, the balance of power has swung sharply. After the 2020 edition he won against Primoz Roglic, Pogacar has taken three Tours de France (2021, 2024 and 2025) against the Dane, while Vingegaard claimed back-to-back victories (2022 and 2023).

Alberto Contador has assessed on Eurosport the likely scenario for the next Tour de France and Vingegaard’s chances against Pogacar. The former Spanish rider says he has reviewed the route, though without a deep tactical breakdown from a racing perspective.

“I haven’t analysed the Tour de France route as if I were going to race it, like a rider. I’ve looked at it, it seems an attractive route, there are tough stages, but of course I haven’t truly analysed at a tactical level where to try to put Pogacar under pressure,” he began.

Even so, the three-time Tour winner clearly identifies the terrain where Vingegaard can open gaps on Pogacar: the high mountains. “But I think Jonas, where he can handle himself best against Pogacar at a given moment, is on the very high-mountain stages.”

Contador recalls that these kinds of days were already decisive in the Tours the Dane won, when he managed to trouble the Slovenian on the route’s most demanding ramps.

The ex-rider also highlights specific high-mountain scenarios that have proved pivotal in previous editions, especially on hard stages with iconic summit finishes.

“It’s where perhaps the Tours that Vingegaard won caused Tadej problems. Especially stage 15, the Alpe d’Huez days, are moments that could well be the key dates.”

For Contador, these stages could again be decisive if the race is tight heading into the final days, with particular focus on finishes atop major climbs.

Strategically, Contador suggests Vingegaard and his team may approach the race by watching and adapting as it unfolds, rather than sticking to a rigid plan from day one.

“I think Jonas, maybe the tactic—I’m not sure—but what they take into the start is to see how the race is going and, as it progresses, make decisions, especially with those last stages in mind.”

Contador’s analysis on Eurosport underlines a rivalry that defines modern cycling. With Pogacar dominating four Tours and Vingegaard having shown he can beat him twice, the 2026 Tour de France shapes up as a new chapter in a battle that, according to the Spanish legend, will again be decided in the high mountains and through smart management of the final stages.