“Jonas Vingegaard looked good and very relaxed” – Visma teammate reveals pre Tour de France shape for the Dane

Tijmen Graat may not be part of Team Visma | Lease a Bike’s Tour de France squad, but the 22-year-old has been given a glimpse of what it takes to prepare for cycling’s biggest race.

Graat joined the Dutch team’s Tour core at a recent altitude training camp in Sierra Nevada, gaining behind-the-scenes exposure to the structure and intensity that surrounds a Grand Tour contender. He described the opportunity as a formative step in his development.

“That was really cool, a great experience,” Graat said to Wielerflits. “I learned a lot from those guys. It was the team’s choice to send me along, so I could gain experience. That paid off immediately in Switzerland, both in and outside the race. That’s where I had my best form of the season.”

Graat was not simply riding wheels, he was absorbing tactics, routines and preparation methods. “You learn a lot. They talk about tactics in the race and the approach to a race, or how they prepare time trials. On the other hand, we also have a lot of fun. I hope to go along more often,” he added.

The Dutchman has been clear eyed about his own role in the Visma hierarchy. “There are better riders who have a better chance,” he said of the Tour selection. Instead, he is targeting stage races such as the Tour de l'Ain, the Tour of Slovakia, and the Czech Tour later this summer.

Even as a non-participant, Graat will be watching Visma’s campaign with interest, particularly that of Jonas Vingegaard, who is aiming to reclaim his crown after being dethroned by Tadej Pogacar in 2024.

“I will send the guys a message before the Tour,” Graat said. “Jonas Vingegaard looked good and very relaxed during the training camp. And in the Dauphiné he rode really strong. I wish them all the best.”

Vingegaard, who won the Tour de France in 2022 and 2023, but a nasty crash disrupted his preparation in 2024 and Pogacar took his title. Whether he can dethrone Pogacar this year and reclaim the yellow jersey is set to be the defining narrative of the race.