Jonas Vingegaard "has some catching up to do" on stage racing return at Tour de Pologne according to Visma DS

After looking uncharacteristically weak in his first race since the Tour de France last weekend at the Clasica San Sebastian, Jonas Vingegaard was dropped very early and eventually failed to even finish. As such, the Dane's form heading into the 2024 Tour de Pologne is something of a question mark.

"Of course we're going for the general classification with Jonas," Team Visma | Lease a Bike's Maarten Wynants tells the team's official website ahead of the Polish stage race. "He does have some catching up to do in Poland. We'll have to wait and see how he's recovered after the Tour, but he's very motivated in any case."

In a slight bonus for Vingegaard, the pressure of team leadership doesn't rest fully of his shoulders at the 2024 Tour de Pologne at least, as Team Visma | Lease a Bike also send their sprinting sensation Olav Kooij to Poland. “With Olav, we are going for another stage win. We have also managed to do that the past two years," says Wynants. "First of all, we want to try to win at least one stage. Then we will see what happens next. It is clear that we are starting with ambition.”

With climbing support from the likes of Koen Bouwman, Wilco Kelderman and Per Strand Hagenes though, Vingegaard heads into the race well backed despite the split goals within Team Visma | Lease a Bike for the race. "In Poland, the beginning will be very tough. There is also a very tough stage at the end of the race, so we will have to be focused all week. I hope to fight for the highest possible result," the two time Tour de France winner previewed ahead of the Tour de Pologne and before his disappointing showing the past weekend at Clasica San Sebastian.