“Last year on Plateau de Beille... Those climbs are Jonas’ strength and Pogacar was better” - Visma coach says Vingegaard needs to focus on himself ahead of Tour

Jonas Vingegaard has something of a point to prove at the 2025 Tour de France. After back to back Maillot Jaune wins in 2022 and 2023, the Team Visma | Lease a Bike leader is widely seen as the most likely rival of Tadej Pogacar for the overall victory this year.

Whilst his loss last year can be caveated somewhat by the disrupted preparation Vingegaard endured ahead of the Tour, spending time in intensive care after a horrific crash at the Itzulia Basque Country, the truth is that Pogacar has simply been a cut above the rest of the peloton over the last couple of seasons. As such, Team Visma | Lease a Bike trainer Tim Heemkserk is well aware that Vingegaard will have work to do to get himself into the kind of shape to get the best of his old rival.

“Last year on Plateau de Beille, I know what Jonas pushed and Pogacar pushed harder. Those climbs are Jonas’ strength, and Pogacar was better,” Heemskerk explains in conversation with Velo. “That means we need to become better to match that level, and then become better again.”

Much has been made of the route of the 2025 Tour de France, with the Grand Tour returning to some notable and familiar haunts of the Pogacar, Vingegaard rivalry. Whilst it's the Dane who will have the advantage in the memory on the likes of the Hautacam and Ventoux, Heemskerk insists that his team leader shouldn't be concerned with the past. In fact, Heemskerk doesn't think Vingegaard should even be concerned with what Pogacar is doing.

“Maybe we will make an analysis of his [Pogacar’s] strengths, but he can do anything,” Heemskerk concludes. “The only part we can control is the shape of Jonas. We cannot control the shape of Remco, Pogacar, or anybody else. We’ll get into the best possible shape for the Tour and then see what it’s worth.”