Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel are two riders who have not faced much in recent years, but the Jumbo-Visma rider and Tour de France champion is keen that Evenepoel could be a good ally.
“Yes, me and Remco in the same Grand Tour; that could work well. We both benefit from a tough race. He could be a good ally until we have to deal with each other," Vingegaard told Het Nieuwsblad. The two raced Tirreno-Adriatico and Itzulia Basque Country this year, however both rode to secondary placings, whilst Tadej Pogacar and Daniel Martínez respectively took the overall wins.
“He was incredibly strong. However, I find it difficult to estimate how we relate to each other at the moment. We've never raced against each other in a three-week race," the Dane continues. Having won the Tour and Vuelta respectively this year, the duo could but are unlikely to make it happen in 2023, with Evenepoel likely to target the Giro d'Italia whilst Vingegaard is poised to defend his title in France.
The lack of time-trialing kilometers at the Tour is not a benefit to either, however the Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team rider had the Giro planned out for his long-term schedule and the route reveals have made it an even more logical option, with Jan Hirt confirming that the Giro should indeed be the Belgian's main goal in 2023.
“That would be really cool, I can't wait for that moment," he said of racing together however. "But don't forget Roglic and Bernal. All of us together in one Grand Tour, I'm already excited. I want to race against the very best. If I win then it will only make my victory shine.”