Jonas Vingegaard: "Expectations will now be much higher"

Jonas Vingegaard is setting off for his second Tour de France, one which will be crucial in his career as Jumbo-Visma set out to try and win the race with two cards, but also a support team that is unmatched across the peloton.

In an interview with RIDE magazine, the 25-year old has said that his ambitions are higher than ever entering the Tour de France in him home country. “That second place has made me more eager to show this again or to maybe do it even better. I now dare to look at first place and think of a Tour victory," he said. “Expectations will now be much higher."

"On the other hand, I know that I just have to do everything I can to look as good as possible. Although it is logical that second place has also changed my own ambitions. Last year I would have been very happy with fifth place. If I now finish fifth, I don't think that ranking will satisfy me anymore," he added.

Vingegaard was a revelation last year at the Tour, having finished second after Primoz Roglic abandoned during the opening week. Although distant, he proved to be the closest rival to Tadej Pogacar, and put himself high up in the ranks for the following Grand Tours.

“Primož has always believed in me. Within the team, he already said at the end of 2020 that I was able to win the Tour de France," the Dane pointed out. "The team was also a bit hesitant to play me out as a leader in bigger races, but Primož always stood up for me and said out loud that he believed in me. Of course that means a lot to me.”

Now, the two will go on a difficult journey to try and win the Tour de France, having a rival who's defeated both of them in the past two editions of the race.