💛 + 💚 = ❤️ #TDF2022
Although many expected Jonas Vingegaard to be in the fight for the win of the Tour de France, the circumstances which have led to the Dane's success were surprising to most. However today in Rocamadour Vingegaard has sealed the overall win as long as nothing unusual happens tomorrow in Paris.
“It means everything to me. It’s really incredible. It’s hard for me to put words on it. It’s the biggest win in cycling," Vingegaard said after the finish. "Having my two girls [girlfriend Trine and daughter Frida] on the finish line meant even more to me". After three weeks of incredible performances in the mountains, aswell as in the time-trials and the hilly stages where he had a more equal battle with Tadej Pogacar, Vingegaard will be arriving to the final stage with 3:34 minutes over his Slovenian rival.
"Since last year, I always believed I could do it," he admitted. "It’s a relief that I did. I’m just so happy and proud. What happened two years ago [Primoz Roglic losing the yellow jersey in the closing time trial], we always thought about it and we didn’t want it to happen again. We just wanted to go for it today. I wanted as good a stage result as possible".
Vingegaard showed his current form with another dominant performance, arriving in today's finish line with the second best time, contesting the stage win throughout most of his effort. His reception at the finish line saw stage winner and teammate Wout van Aert, aswell as his family and staff present, in a celebration that could hardly be improved further.
After setting off in his home country three weeks ago, Vingegaard will now ride in Paris in yellow for a maiden Grand Tour win. "It’s a special thing we have in this team: everyone is so happy for each other. I’m also really happy for Wout to win today. These guys are my true friends, brothers I would say. I guess we can celebrate tonight," he finally said after over a week of cautiousness over his words.
"It’s special for the whole Jumbo-Visma team and for Denmark as well. I don’t read the media so I don’t know how crazy it is but I can guess," Vingegaard concluded.