"Jonas is doing better than we expected. That's great" - Vingegaard's first week Tour de France time loss of no concern to Richard Plugge

Jonas Vingegaard entered the 2024 Tour de France under a cloud of question marks having not raced in nearly three months following his Itzulia Basque Country horror crash. Although the Dane has lost over a minute to Tadej Pogacar over the first 7 stages, Team Visma | Lease a Bike are generally positive.

“Jonas and Matteo Jorgenson rode a good time trial yesterday,” analyses Team Visma | Lease a Bike team boss Richard Plugge, in a pre-stage 8 conversation with Sporza. "Jonas is doing better than we expected. That's great. I was already very happy that he could even start, but when you see what he's doing now: fantastic."

After almost every stage, it seems like Team Visma | Lease a Bike have had the exact same answer to reporters questions about Vingegaard, "we expected to lose more time." Following stage 7, that again was the story told by the likes of Plugge and Vingegaard himself. "On the first weekend - I include the Galibier - we expected a lot more loss," insists Plugge. "The time trial was also not a course for Jonas. He shows that he is in top shape. That gives a lot of confidence."

Despite the optimism though, the fact remains that with the 2024 Tour de France now one third of the way completed, Vingegaard is 1:15 down on his greatest rival, Tadej Pogacar in the fight for the Maillot Jaune. Even this though, doesn't bring the negativity to Team Visma | Lease a Bike, with Plugge opting to remain positive and on the lookout for opportunities.

"Last year we saw how many minutes can be won or lost in one stage. The last week will be the most important," explains the team boss thoughtfully, although he realises the longer the race goes on, it's unlike Vingegaard will be able to continue getting stronger. "I don't think you get better. Everyone gets worse and that's why you see the big differences."