"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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- Us old folks can't do extreme sport like the youngsters anymore. RIP.
KerisVroom30-05-2025 - The mood was very different a week ago. UAE pulled him back at the expense of Del Toro's lead. If he couldn't pull ahead, the fault doesn't lie with the team. Is it his fault then? Not so, he crashed and couldn't recover. There is a very, very slim chance for him to win a GT even if he rides for another team if Pogacar is riding (barring accident). Anyway, he isn't going anywhere. UAE has a golden cage for him until the end of 2028. Good luck finding a team with financial prowess to pry him from his UAE contract.KerisVroom30-05-2025
- RIP Ludo Dierckxsens.
santiagobenites30-05-2025 - Agreed. We don’t know the kinds words that might have been said prior/after the stage. But during the race they need to attend to the riders in the race.mij30-05-2025
- Not reading anything negative in Mr. Plugge's comments. His job is to observe and support his rider and team and to market their team, and that's what his statements do, without anything disparaging against the competition. One can twist the comments to appear negative if one chooses, but why?itsent30-05-2025
- Christ woman, you're as cold hearted as UAE! ;/
leedorney30-05-2025 - They were probably too preoccupied with the task at hand. If I'm busy, I may forget to extend courtesy due to negligence. The commentator is probably a bit too sensationalized. I'm sure someone will comfort him once things settle down. Yes, a pat is free and nice.KerisVroom29-05-2025
- The team is right. If he is unable to see clearly he is a danger to not only himself but the entire pelaton. It sucks for him no doubt but one rider finishing a race isn't more important than the safety of othersHoopoeChai29-05-2025
- The only thing I know about Ayuso is that he wobbles in big races all the time. He's young though and not everyone develops at the rate of Tadej. On UAE he will probably be a super domestique only.awp29-05-2025
- If the mistake is made by many, that doesn't mean it's not a mistake. Obviously, pure objectivity doesn't exist, but if you're a communicator you should at least try instead falling into fanatic sentimentality.
maria2024202429-05-2025
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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