“Jonas Vingegaard looked good and very relaxed” – Visma teammate reveals pre Tour de France shape for the Dane
Cycling
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.
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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