"Jonas Vingegaard starts as the favourite" claims Tadej Pogacar: "I myself am only just back after an injury"

The 2023 Tour de France is now just days away. Round 3 of the epic Maillot Jaune rivalry between UAE Team Emirates' Tadej Pogacar and Jumbo-Visma's Jonas Vingegaard. According to the Slovenian, it is Vingegaard who starts as the favourite.

Pogacar has had an up and down build-up to his quest to reclaim the Yellow Jersey. After a stunning Classics campaign was brought to an end with a bump, as he crashed out of Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Pogacar returned in style at the Slovenian National Championships, taking both the time-trial title and the road race in truly dominant fashion.

“It is a nice boost towards the Tour, which starts next week,” he said after his victory back home in Slovenia. “I can't complain about my form, but we'll see how it goes in the Tour. I am motivated, I have confidence and I am convinced of the strength of my team. It's going to be a tough fight, but I'm starting to win."

“I hope he continues to heal well, otherwise it will be a very tough month of July. My wrist is not yet fully mobile, and certain shocks still bother me. My body has to compensate a bit, so he's definitely not 100 percent okay yet," continues Pogacar. "Jonas Vingegaard starts as the favourite anyway. He was very dominant in the Dauphiné and I myself am only just back after an injury.”