"The body simply has to heal. It needs the time to do so" - Jens Voigt advises Jonas Vingegaard to skip Tour de France and focus on Vuelta a Espana
CyclingSaturday, 04 May 2024 at 10:33
Whilst his arch-rival Tadej Pogacar is preparing for the first leg of what he hopes will be a historic Giro d'Italia/Tour de France double, Jonas Vingegaard is currently resting and recovering from his horrific crash at the recent Itzulia Basque Country.
Although Team Visma | Lease a Bike have refused to confirm of deny whether the two-time, back-to-back Tour de France winner will return to the race later this summer, Eurosport expert and 17-time Tour de France starter, Jens Voigt believes there is no chance that Vingegaard will be challenging for the Maillot Jaune, even if by some miracle he is at the startline.
"The injuries and the operation have left a huge hole in his training plan that will not be able to be filled," the 52-year-old German explains to Eurosport. "I think Team Visma | Lease a Bike will have to change plans: they can take him with them as a stage hunter, especially for the second half of the Tour - but he probably won't be able to fight for victory yet, that will be too close. 98% isn't enough against Remco Evenepoel, Tadej Pogacar or Primoz Roglic; given the competition and the level of performance this year, that doesn't work."
Therefore, a change in targets is needed for the Dane and Voigt believes he can foresee what that might mean for the rest of Vingegaard's season. "The body simply has to heal first, it needs the time to do so - no matter how modern all the training methods and nutritional approaches are," he explains. "One option for him could be that he is fit again for the Olympic Games in Paris at the end of July and then sets his sights on overall victory at the Vuelta a Espana. But he won't be in winning form for the Tour and then he and the team will have to weigh up whether they think it makes sense for him to start as a noble helper and stage hunter.
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- Scum will do as scum does. Pathetic to threaten people online. Some of these pog fan boys are such losers I swear. All the bandwagon fans that only support the winningest player in each sport. So patheticNomadic1917-07-2025
- Oh shutup. You clearly have never raced a day in your life and you will never achieve 1% of what hell achieve. Even pog said it was just a racing crash. Pog was at fault just as much for not being attentive and going the opposite way to the crowd.Nomadic1917-07-2025
- Another ex rider with an idiotic opinion. Pogi would have come back, maybe remain within 30 s. If he is feeling the effects of the crash, he will crack in the harder stages to follow. There was no need to force it here for bad publicity. Tejay who never ever won the TDF cannot compare himself to Jonas who has already won twice.abstractengineer17-07-2025
- Everyone is saying how much more improved and aggressive Vingegaard is away from the mountains this year. Is there also the possibility that we might see an 'improvement' by Pogačar in the high mountains? Just a thought.Suipedali17-07-2025
- The TdF has been amazing to follow so far and I'm sure we won't be disappointed today. I really hope Pogi isn't as strong as I think as otherwise hell have finished the stage, showered and having a cup of tea before the rest starts the last climb. Fingers crossed for a good day in front of the TV.
D3kst3r17-07-2025 - Vollering's case was when it was race on. Even her own teammates did not wait. There is no way by which other teams will.abstractengineer17-07-2025
- The reason they offer it for free is that hardly anyone would agree to pay, none of the data is important enough for anyone but bookies to invest in. influencers also offer content for free, phone companies offer free phones, your e-mail is free, and the goodies the caravan throws around and this website are too. Watching the Tour roadside is free too, ASO charges nothing to those who don’t abuse. If you wanted to set up your bar or hot-dog stand at someone else’s important event, you’d have to pay the organiser too, heck, you even have to pay the local authorities, why should PCS be treated differently when commercially present?Mistermaumau17-07-2025
- Jorgensen is pretty salty after those accusations from Pogiabstractengineer17-07-2025
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maria2024202417-07-2025
He is the guy to beat when he is on form. I don't think he should race the Tour this year with a lack of form, he should go to the Vuelta if he does any gt this year.
It would be hard for me to descend after a crash like that! I'd rather train, ride uphill and time trial. How long does it take to get the nerve and skill to return to descending with the best?
Example: Joseba Beloki crash about twenty years ago in TdeF.
It's disgraceful to even think towards a start, are they THAT DESPERATE and anyone else that he needs to be there, the guy along with others had a huge crash, to put him in would decimate good health even longer in the future whatever the 'brilliant advancements' in whatever... It's simply just rediculous as well as those who want him there, truly disrespectful!
Well, TDF will start in less than 2 months, does he have enough time to be race-ready, without any racing form under him, for TDF? That seems dangerous. I mean, there is no shame of skipping TDF anyway. There is always another year, if he stays healthy and remain injury-free. Nobody wants to get injured, after months out. Given Jonas is already approaching his 30's, athletes in their 30's, takes longer time to heal their bodies, than younger athletes does.
Besides, with The Primadone King a.k.a Remco won't be fully fit for TDF either. Same goes with Roglic as well, although, his crash wasn't as bad as Remco's, but would be a surprise seeing Rogi at TDF, anyway. Given he lacking form under his belt, like Remco and Jonas does.
All three are have question marks, regarding their fitness levels, so there is no shame, of skipping TDF, while not fully fit. You don't want to risk further injuries, that could potentially end your sporting careers.
57 days till start of the tour and zero word from the team. I seriously doubt he goes. Even if he is fully recovered how will he be on fop form?
And what’s the point of him going if he can’t fight for a win? He’s literally the last guy on earth that needs a TdF participation trophy.
Seems there was word from the team today but you missed it.
I think you’re a bit early with decision forcing.
The reason the team or JV won’t commit to decisions at this point is simple, they know it’s too early so let’s all just leave the subject be until they come to a conclusion.
As for the needing more than 98% against the other 3, you can argue the opposite too as they will wear each other out more so also won’t be 100%.
Besides, Remco can’t be at 100%, Rogliç is unlikely to be and Pog also might not depending on what happens in the Giro, so at this moment in time, why make a fuss?
I didn’t miss it. It came out after this story.
Word from the team kind of validates what I said.
I would LOVE to see a healthy Jonas at the Tour but I maintain it seems unlikely.
The team is barely more optimistic than me - “keeping open the possibility that he will make it to the Tour start.”
Time will tell. Happy that things look good for Remco and Roglic. That looked in doubt in immediate aftermath of crash
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