"Jonas is a special guy. He may recover quickly" - 'Too early' to rule Vingegaard out of Tour de France says Visma DS
Cycling
It's fair to say that Jonas Vingegaard's chances of making it a Tour de France hat-trick later this summer, don't look particularly good at the moment. Following a brutal crash at the Itzulia Basque Country, the Dane spent 12 days in hospital due to a number of injuries.
Suffering a number of fractures, including to his ribs and his clavicle, it was a perforated lung that caused most concern and required Vingegaard to have blood drained from his lungs ensuring his lengthy spell of hospitalization. As such, few give the two-time back-to-back Tour de France winner much chance of even making it to the race this year, let alone competing for victory. For Team Visma | Lease a Bike sports director, Frans Maassen however, it's too early to tell.
“We have to see what is possible in the coming weeks and then we will start new plans,” Maassen explains in conversation with TV2. “For Jonas, it is important to be 100 percent when the Tour starts. It's a really tough race that he's won twice. I don't think he's there if it's about being in the top 10. It has to be in top shape. We will have to see if it is possible over the next few weeks."
"Jonas is a special guy. He may recover quickly. It is too early to make a decision," Maassen continues. "I can't answer that because we have to see how he does in the next two weeks. In two weeks we will know a little more and we will know what is possible.”
Well they have got a brilliant Dr...but even then it's 'stupid' even to say this..guys broke a collarbone and chest bones I think.. that'd make breathing very painful never mind recovering from it AND getting into tip-rop condition to win the 'tour, juries out for me
In defence of the DS, in the original interview then he mentions a special episode in 2022 where Jonas had no time to train for the Basque Country because of an injury and he still finished 6th with the level to win the entire thing. So it's not that Frans thinks Jonas will heal quicker, he just thinks that he will not need much time to get back to close to 100 percent.
If he can ride at TDF without further injuries feels like winning the yellow jersey for him
If he makes it to the Vuelta and is competitive, he is very lucky.
I wonder what Jonas' body will able to cope of the full week of racing, I don't see him as GC contender for TDF, and perhaps an outsider for Vuelta. He is a great rider, but please be more realistic on his chances, and not putting pressures on him to perform well
Also, back to the GT topic, TJV probadly can't wear their usual kits at 2024 TDF, as it would colour clashed with the yellow jersey holders, so they had to wear their alternate kits for 2024 TDF. At least they will able to wear their usual kits at 2024 Giro and Vuelta😁
Also, putting unrealistic pressures on atheletes is unhealthy. As the so-called "Not winning anything is a faillure" mindset is dangerous and not healthy for everyone
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