"One day I'm better, the next day he's back" - Jonas Vingegaard enjoying every second of battle with Tadej Pogacar

The third edition of the Maillot Jaune battle between Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar has been intense and incredibly interesting over the first 9 stages of the 2023 Tour de France. The Jumbo-Visma leader is currently narrowly ahead by just 17 seconds but he's enjoying the fight.

"It's nice that we go into that battle every time. One day I'm better, the next day he's back. It will be an exciting fight towards Paris," the 26-year-old Danish rider says in a video for his Jumbo-Visma team on the first rest day of the Tour de France. "I wouldn't know who the favourite is. I think we both are."

With Vingegaard taking the Yellow Jersey in 2022 and Pogacar the win in 2021, the score is currently 1-1. With 2023 marking the third edition of what is turning into one of the all-time great Tour de France rivalries, what can we expect over the coming couple of weeks?

"I'm in good shape. I knew I had to get to work right away. But the form was right from the start and I was ready to fight," says Vingegaard. “It was a good first week. I expected to be behind, but this situation is even better. I had some good stages and my moments are still to come."

“There just wasn't that much the first week. That is now happening more and more. Especially in the coming days. Those are very tough days. Lots of climbing and long stages. They will make the difference," concludes the Jumbo-Visma leader.