Visma DS praises Jonas Vingegaard as "probably the only one this year who could beat Pogacar" after epic Tour de France comeback

Team Visma | Lease a Bike had a 2024 to forget. With all the bad luck that kept plaguing the Dutch formation, there were not quite as many opportunities to celebrate this year, as compared to the previous one. But even the team's sports director Grischa Niermann recognizes that one moment sent them over the moon in 2024 and was a great promise to next season.

Of course the word is about the Tour de France stage 11, when Jonas Vingegaard stunned Tadej Pogacar to take down the Slovenian in a sprint of a gruelling stage with finish in Le Lioran. "That was our highlight of the Tour and for Jonas probably of the whole year," said Niermann in an interview with Eurosport.

Looking back at the 2024 Tour de France, there's of course mixed emotions for Niermann, but in general he can be proud of the Danish rider, given the complicated run-up to the race. "We were very satisfied, especially after the difficult first stages. On the second stage, Jonas showed a great performance to San Luca to keep Pogacar at bay. Of course there were also setbacks, for example on the Col du Galibier, where he lost time, especially on the descent. That was not a day of celebration for us. But overall we could be satisfied with his performance, even though it was clear that Pogacar was at an exceptional level this year."

"During the stage to Le Lioran in the Massif Central, it was clear to us that Pogacar would attack again. And that's what happened. Jonas couldn't keep up with the attack, but then showed a great performance, fought back and was probably the only one this year who could beat Pogacar in a sprint that the Slovenian also wanted to win. After that, of course, we believed in victory again, but in the Pyrenees and Maritime Alps, Pogacar was clearly the strongest."

Finally, the German DS provided a brief opinion on the 2025 route which - according to him - could play into Vingegaard's hands as he attempts to equalize Pogacar's three titles. "It looks like a route that should suit Jonas - difficult mountain stages, steep climbs and a mountain time trial, climbs that he has good memories of like Mont Ventoux, Hautacam, Col de la Loze. But after the 2024 Tour, we know that Pogacar is strong in these areas too. Nevertheless, I think the route suits Jonas."