“I think Jonas is missing a little bit compared to the last few Tours" - Pogacar assesses Vingegaard's level after latest general classification battle
CyclingSunday, 19 July 2026 at 09:24
Tadej Pogacar saw Jonas Vingegaard try a different tactic as the Tour de France general classification battle restarted on Saturday. Taking on stage 14 on Col du Haag, the Dane took the initiative and it was Pogacar who had to make a later move in pursuit of the stage.
The Slovenian decisively attacked inside the final kilometer of the climb before powering over the plateau section in the final six kilometers to take an incredible 25th Tour de France win.
However, during the climb he didn't have it all his own way. Usually dominated by his UAE Team Emirates - XRG squad, the climb saw Pogacar more or less following the pace before making his move. Decathlon CMA CGM and Visma | Lease a Bike controlled the majority of the climb.
Decathlon first moved to keep the pace high for Paul Seixas but it was Visma's pace-setting with Sepp Kuss before Vingegaard moved to the front and set a blistering tempo that caught eyes. The pace put his GC contenders on their limits - except Pogacar who soon attacked and waltzed to victory.
Speaking about Vingegaard's move, which saw him come to the line with Seixas and Isaac del Toro as others dropped, the world champion believes his rival is right up there but lacking a punch to follow his accelerations.
“If my power meter was showing the right numbers when I looked down while he was pulling, he was producing an incredible performance,” Pogacar said after the stage.
Pogacar says Vingegaard "missing something"
"Jonas is really good, but I think he is missing something.”
What Vingegaard is missing in Pogacar's eyes is the explosiveness to match his quick efforts, something Vingegaard had focused on in other Tour de France editions. Instead, it seems the Visma leader is relying on his long climb tempo as a means of burning off the competition.
“I think Jonas is missing a little bit compared to the last few Tours,” he said. “He is there and he is really strong. I think he knows that as well, but I also think he knows he is missing that little punch.”
“It is a very small percentage. Then he is there with me.”
Pogacar thinks Alpe d'Huez an advantage for Vingegaard
Alpe d'Huez and the Alpine climbs weigh heavily on Pogacar as he knows he's riding into the Dane's optimal terrain. The UAE leader maintains that anything can happen.
“I expected that he probably would not be able to stay with me. Maybe he will get an extra boost on the longer and harder mountains, such as Alpe d’Huez. Maybe he drops me there. You never know.”
Read also
The yellow jersey battle isn't over in Pogacar's eyes. With a little punch the final ingredient missing, Pogacar knows he's just that little bit ahead of Vingegaard.
“I definitely do not rule him out for the days ahead,” he said. “He is really strong. He is only missing a little punch.”
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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- AgreeMistermaumau20-07-2026
- How many minutes would Tadej have won by if he tried?Master-Dirk19-07-2026
- Pretty much.... except his face showed little if any exertionMaster-Dirk19-07-2026
- Wasn't Tim Merlier going to win the final stage into Paris?Ride197419-07-2026
- I fully understand tests during unexpected hours occasionally, but doing it just to two riders ahead of the queen stage makes it look like there's an 'agenda' behind it.Ride197419-07-2026
- If authorities were fair, they would wake up all GC top 10 riders in the same night. This smells very suspicious.Ride197419-07-2026
- anybody with half a brain knows why the french authorities didn't wake up french rider Seixas. if they are going to do midnight raids, they need to do them to everybody, not just the 2 riders in front of the great french hope.sweetishChef19-07-2026
- He didn't feel right winning so worked for del Toro. But Remco was just too strong and Pogačar didn't have anything left when Torito failed
Rafionain-Glas19-07-2026 - stoked for Remco. he gets so much crap, and while he is brash, the guy is a fighter. I can respect that.mij19-07-2026
- Ok maybe lucky is a bit extreme but finishing 5th place in a couple stages and having no sprint makes me think his hold on 2nd or 3rd was a bit tenuous. Especially watching Remco’s finish today. He he can compete in the high alps it isn’t inconceivable to think he would overtake Jonas. And IDT too could have overtaken him. And considering the strength of UAE and that Tadej himself is willing to work for Del Toro.mij19-07-2026
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