OPINION | Does Jonas Vingegaard face unnecessary criticism?

Tadej Pogacar has just completed what is arguably the greatest season in cycling history, dominating the sport with a triple crown that includes victories in monuments, classics, and stage races. Pogacar’s dominance is unrivalled in modern cycling, leaving competitors in his wake.

But it is worth remembering that just a year earlier, it was Jonas Vingegaard who dismantled Pogacar at the 2023 Tour de France, raising the question: Does Jonas Vingegaard face unnecessary criticism, especially when compared to the Slovenian superstar?

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Pogacar’s dance partner

It’s natural that Vingegaard, as Pogacar’s closest rival, is regularly compared to the UAE Team Emirates leader. After all, they have traded blows at the Tour de France, with Vingegaard emerging victorious in both 2022 and 2023. However, despite his incredible achievements, the Danish rider has been the target of criticism, particularly regarding his defensive style of racing and his absence from the one-day races in which Pogacar thrives.

In a recent episode of The Move podcast, Johan Bruyneel discussed Pogacar’s triumph at Il Lombardia and whether the result would have been different had Vingegaard been present. "At Il Lombardia? Pfft no," Bruyneel said dismissively. "At the maximum, Jonas would have been with Remco. I mean, first of all, he's not a one-day racer. He could be, especially in that kind of race, but it looks like he's not interested."

Bruyneel's comments reflect a common critique of the Team Visma Lease a Bike rider, that he is not as versatile as Pogacar. The Slovenian rider has proven his ability to win in a variety of race formats, while Vingegaard tends to focus primarily on stage races. While this difference in racing style could be perceived as a flaw, it's important to recognise that Vingegaard has used his specialised skill set to consistently beat Pogacar in the most prestigious race of all, the Tour de France.

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The same podcast noted that Vingegaard’s absence from late-season races is also tied to his personal life, as the Danish rider recently welcomed a new child into his family. "Yeah but, having a child is not really a reason to finish your season," Bruyneel countered. "I mean, after the Tour de France, he did win the Tour de Pologne. Didn't win a single stage, but he won the overall. But he cut his season short quite early."

There is some truth to the notion that Vingegaard’s season ended earlier than expected, but this overlooks the fact that his Tour de France performances have been nothing short of spectacular. After all, it was Vingegaard who shattered the perception of Pogacar’s invincibility in the 2022 Tour de France, delivering a masterclass on the Col du Granon that stunned the cycling world.

Before the 2022 Tour, Pogacar was seen as nearly unbeatable. That changed when Vingegaard attacked on the mighty Col du Granon (11.28 km, 9.20%) with 4 kilometres to go, cracking Pogacar and seizing the yellow jersey. This moment was pivotal in reshaping the narrative of the rivalry between the two riders, showing that Pogacar was not untouchable after all.

Jonas Vingegaard is still Pogacar's main rival

Fast forward to the 2023 Tour, and Vingegaard took his dominance to another level. The highly anticipated individual time trial on Stage 16 was meant to be a decisive battleground between the two rivals, but it was Vingegaard who emerged as the clear winner. Pogacar had been the fastest to the first time check, but Vingegaard went 16 seconds quicker, setting the tone for what would become a devastating performance.

By the second time check, Vingegaard had extended his lead over Pogacar by 31 seconds, opting not to change his bike and continuing to press his advantage. The Danish rider’s relentless pace saw him finish the time trial 1:38 ahead of Pogacar, an astonishing margin that all but sealed his second successive Tour de France title.

The day after, Vingegaard further cracked Pogacar on the brutal slopes of the Col de la Loze, cementing his place as the Tour’s dominant figure. While Pogacar’s aggressive and explosive style might have captivated the fans, it was Vingegaard’s methodical and disciplined approach that earned him victory in the sport’s most prestigious race. Without Vingegaard in the picture, Pogacar’s 2024 dominance could have been even more monotonous for fans who have grown accustomed to his winning ways.

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One of the most memorable moments of the 2024 Tour was on Stage 11, where Vingegaard outsprinted Pogacar in a rare head-to-head defeat for the Slovenian. The two riders, the best climbers in the world, went all out in the Massif Central, producing one of the most exciting clashes of the season. In the end, it was Vingegaard who crossed the finish line first, handing Pogacar a rare defeat in what had otherwise been an unstoppable season for him.

So yes, Pogacar is dominating right now. But that can very quickly change.

A Giro-Tour double battle?

As the cycling world looks to the future, speculation about Vingegaard’s plans for 2025 is already circulating. Reports from the Italian media suggest that Vingegaard may attempt the Giro-Tour double, replicating Pogacar’s pursuit of grand tour glory. But the question remains: Does Vingegaard need to emulate Pogacar’s schedule, or should he continue to focus on his strengths?

Of course, cycling fans would love to see Vingegaard and Pogacar face off as often as possible, but the reality is that Vingegaard’s best weapon against Pogacar is his unique racing style. While Pogacar’s explosive attacks often steal the headlines, it’s Vingegaard’s ability to grind down his rivals on the long, high-altitude climbs that has given him the upper hand at the Tour de France.

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Pogacar is a showman, a rider who thrives on dramatic, crowd-pleasing attacks. Vingegaard, on the other hand, is more reserved, focused on his calculated approach to racing. There is nothing wrong with this, in fact, it’s precisely what has allowed him to beat Pogacar on the sport’s biggest stage.

The criticism of Vingegaard for being a defensive rider or for not competing in one-day races like Pogacar may be unfounded. While it would be exciting to see him challenge in the classics or monuments, Vingegaard has already proven that he can deliver when it matters most. His success at the Tour de France in 2022 and 2023 shows that he has found a blueprint that works, and perhaps he should stick to it.

If Vingegaard does attempt the Giro-Tour double, it should be because he wants to, not because he feels the need to replicate Pogacar. His achievements already speak for themselves, and he does not need to change his style to satisfy critics or chase after Pogacar’s varied victories. Jonas Vingegaard is a champion in his own right, and the cycling world should remember that.

In conclusion, while Jonas Vingegaard may not have the same flamboyant style as Tadej Pogacar, his approach has proven just as effective in the biggest races. The criticism he faces may stem from the natural desire to see him go head-to-head with Pogacar in every race, but Vingegaard has shown that there is more than one way to reach the pinnacle of the sport. Rather than trying to be someone he’s not, Vingegaard should continue to embrace his strengths, after all, they’ve taken him to the top of the Tour de France twice already.