Jonas Vingegaard survives first day in yellow: "I just wanted to keep my lead"

Jonas Vingegaard had his first day in the yellow jersey today at the Tour de France, and he passed it successfully as he resisted the attacks of Tadej Pogacar at the Alpe d'Huez.

“It was definitely not an easy day today, it was very tough. The heat was especially difficult, at the foot of the Col de la Croix de Fer and the Alpe d'Huez it seemed to be over 35 degrees Celsius," Vingegaard described. Jumbo-Visma controlled the day with little opposition from it's rivals, until the final climb where a single rider tried to make a move on the Dutch team.

That was from Tadej Pogacar, now second in the overall classification, who launched two attacks up the ascent. Vingegaard responded promptly however: "I actually didn't have the best legs after yesterday, but I wasn't bad this time either. It was just a rough day.

"I expected him to attack me, yes. I was glad I could follow him. Have I thought of saving time myself? No, I just wanted to keep my lead. That was the plan for today," he explained. With Sepp Kuss also riding a monstrous performance, the Dane was never truly isolated from his team.

"Honestly they were 'better' than I expected, sometimes it's not so pleasant to race there. They supported in a good way," he said of the fans at the Alpe d'Huez. He took 2:22 minutes over Tadej Pogacar away from the Alps, and stays in pole-position to win the Tour de France.