"The first time we've tackled long climbs in the last 10 days..." - Jonas Vingegaard eager to tackle Vosges mountain stage
CyclingSaturday, 18 July 2026 at 16:30
Jonas Vingegaard has been argued to be waiting to improve as the Tour de France moves forward, with specific focus on the longer efforts. Today the race returns to the high mountains in the Vosges with proper hard climbs set to create further differences in the overall classification.
Col du Haag to test Vingegaard
The 4000 meters of climbing in 155 kilometers will prove to be a very difficult challenge, in a mountain range where a stage of such type is not frequent. The Col du Haag will be at the end of a sequence of climbs, with very steep gradients where it will be impossible to hide.
"It's the first time we've tackled long climbs in the last 10 days, since there was the Tourmalet stage before. I'm very determined, and so is the team," Vingegaard said in a pre-stage interview.
"Let's hope it's a good day. Today's route? I don't know much about it, since I haven't done any reconnaissance, but I looked at the climb numbers. Given the lengths and gradients, it'll be a tough stage."
Previously, the Dane looked very strong on the Col du Tourmalet, but lost significant time at the end of stage 6. At Le Lioran, he struggled in the finale with the explosive ascents, and lost time to his podium rivals as well.
Jonas Vingegaard during stage 6 of the Tour de France 2026
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Faith in Visma for Vingegaard
But the Dane improved during the Giro, and the expectation is that the same may happen here. But with a UAE so dominant, Vingegaard will have to wait and see his rivals before making a decision on what he can do.
"It'll be his tactics. We're still here to try to win, so I'll keep an eye on Pogacar's wheel with the idea of being able to hold it," he added. "Then we'll see how I feel, if I feel good and my legs are spinning, I might even try something myself, also considering how the race unfolds."
The reocuring question is in whether he still aims for the yellow jersey. The answer is yes. "I have faith in myself and I have faith in the team. We still believe in it.”
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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- Stage 14 and there's 5 guys within a minute of JV. I think there is a good chance JV may finish around 5th place. He looks as good as these other 5 riders. And that's not good for him.Cyclingnut18-07-2026
- Happy for Tadej, sad for Jonas. I hope he keeps winning the races Tadej doesn't compete in. more Vueltas, Giros, Paris-Nices, Dauphinés, Itzulias... having an even more successful career than he already has; unfortunately, he was born in the same era as that alien, Tadej.
liborio18-07-2026 - The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth: Vingegaard has already ridden his best Tours. He's no longer a serious rival to Pogačar, and even less so in the years to come. Del Toro and Seixas are more likely contenders, and there will probably be others as well. But none of that changes the fact: once Pogi wins his eighth Tour, he'll retire. Everyone else will get their chance afterward.mus-musculuspeedypogigonzales18-07-2026
- The Visma plan is going in the right direction. Everything is according to plan, don't worry guys. Let's see that famous plan of Visma tomorrow, I can't wait and I'm sure DelToro and Pogačar can't wait either... LOL ...mus-musculuspeedypogigonzales18-07-2026
- No, Remco drifted off the back but then fought back and pushed to the line. He really is handling the long climbs better than I thought. On a mountain top finish though, Lippo is their man.Pedalmasher18-07-2026
- finally some selection. unfortunately, i could only watch it without sound. did lipo have to wait for remco AGAIN?Ketterechts18-07-2026
- Remco the slaveabstractengineer18-07-2026
- It must make Lance crazy to know he will never be anything other than a shit stain on cycling.Crashjames18-07-2026
- If they were smart, Visma would keep the bunch together as long as possible, letting the top 10 stay in the mix - let them attack and force tadej to burn up his men chasing the attacks.Crashjames18-07-2026
- I would like to see a Mathieu vs Mads showdown on stage 17, like we've had at Gent-Wevelgem. And then on stage 21 Pogačar can join in and why not Remco too.
Rafionain-Glas18-07-2026
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