Vingegaard not Pogacar the favourite for 2025 Tour de France says Jerome Pineau: "He will be more than ready for the challenge come July"
CyclingThursday, 19 June 2025 at 22:10
It's fair to say, that after a dominant performance at the recent Criterium du Dauphiné, defending Maillot Jaune Tadej Pogacar heads to the Tour de France in 2025 as the man to beat once again in the eyes of most fans and experts. For French former Giro d'Italia stage winner Jerome Pineau, however, it is Jonas Vingegaard who is firmly the pre-Grand Tour favourite.
"I firmly believe it," Pineau begins in conversation with the Grand Plateau podcast, impressed by the level shown from Vingegaard at the Dauphine, despite the Dane's ultimate defeat by Pogacar in the high mountains. "He’s coming off a long training block, and I think he’s in astonishing form, considering everything he’s been through."
Pineau also looks towards the 2024 Tour de France as evidence to back up his claim, suggesting the performance of Vingegaard twelve months ago after so little preparation bodes well for this year, given he has had time to prepare properly. "I thought he was outstanding last year when he finished second," says Pineau firmly. "He never gave up. He was far behind Pogacar after a serious crash, yet he kept fighting."
And so, despite finishing almost a minute down on Pogacar at the Dauphine, Vingegaard remains the man to beat according to the French ex-pro. "I have him down as the Tour winner because he showed some impressive signs this week — especially in the time trial, where he took 30 seconds out of Pogacar," he explains. "I believe he’ll make huge strides and will be more than ready for the challenge come July."
"Pogacar will go chasing seconds in the first week because he enjoys racing aggressively, whereas Vingegaard is more calculated," Pineau concludes. "And in this Tour, you’ll need to be strategic due to the way the race is structured. You can’t waste too much energy early on — you have to be strong in the final week."
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- I don't see it was that clear Jonas had the legs.
D3kst3r25-07-2025 - You could tell he wanted to win this one. The cannibal would have gone for it if he could.D3kst3r25-07-2025
- Yes, this Tadej is listless, bored and with no hunger to win. Last year he gave his all because he had to prove what happened in 2022 was a strategic error (inexperience) and in 2023 was bad luck (poor preparation due to crash/surgery). This year, he had nothing to fight for or prove. I think he hates GT and prefers SanRemo and the Belgian Classics because he still has challenge. Even Il Lombardia bores him.
maria2024202425-07-2025 - Pogi didn’t have it? Lolol towing a world class wheel sucker named Jonas up the mountain is hard work. Pogi should have just stopped pedaling so Jonas could take a rest break
ScottG25-07-2025 - Well, of course you should enjoy the one you want to win winning! Otherwise why bother watching!AndrewK25-07-2025
- Arensman, again, I was in tear when he crossed the line and the had Bogerts (23 years ago the previous winner on this mountain) on camera. I think Pogi didn't have it today and if Jonas did, he made a mistake not going. I don't care, it's a beautiful day.D3kst3r25-07-2025
- I don't believe this unless it comes out of Remco's mouth. The future of Bora seems to belong to Lipowitz, this is a German team and he's a German. If this does happen it will be interesting to see how the team dynamics play out, but I don't have confidence in this information at this time.awp25-07-2025
- Vingegaard not committing to catching Arensman when he clearly had the legs to do so wasn’t exactly a good look.AndrewK25-07-2025
- If a non-GC rider is to take the KOM jersey, it should be a climber who can go in breakaways and win consistently (as in, to beat all the other breakaway riders). Martinez has not shown that climbing level.
Llywelynglyndwr25-07-2025 - The reason for the 8 point deduction is that Martinez would have got 12 points for 3rd place.Llywelynglyndwr25-07-2025
No question Jonas will be ready... Tadej just might be that wee bit readier... as Maria20242024 says... say something utterly ridiculous you'll get pundit status. I also sense an increasing number of recently retired Pro's who are just plan jealous of what Tadej is achieving.. I might be too in their position but it's just disrespectful, they should respect just what these guys are delivering for the sport but you can't force folk
EX PRO RULE: To get hired as a pundit, say something grandiloquently out of the ordinary.
PS: I also believe that Jonas will be in perfect conditions for the tour, at the level of Tadej, but saying that he is "THE" CLEAR favorite is a simple counter-current to get attention.
Just LOL. This proves anyone can get paid to be a pundit.
tadej likes chasing seconds? what was jonas doing with his attack on day 1 of the dauphiné.
I think he'll be better than he is today at the Tour, but Tadej will be better than he is today as well. It's obvious it's going to be tough for Jonas to exceed Tadej at the Tour, before the Dauphine I could agree, not now.