“We have prepared our team tactics and, as always, I will not reveal them" Jonas Vingegaard declares Visma have a Tourmalet plan for Pogacar
CyclingThursday, 09 July 2026 at 13:14
Jonas Vingegaard and Team Visma | Lease a Bike have hinted they have something cooking for stage 6 of the Tour de France. With the first real mountain test looking and featuring the iconic Col du Tourmalet, fans are expecting the first sorting of the general classification order.
And many expect it to be all about Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard. The pair have been locked in a high mountains showdown for the last four editions, and could renew hostilities on Thursday. The word on everyone's lips: how can Visma neutralise and beat Pogacar when the road goes uphill.
With Col d'Aspin set to kick off hostilities, the Tourmalet lies next and tops off with 38.5 kilometers to go. A crucial battleground, its position makes it intriguing given the descent and uphill finish to follow.
How will Visma play the stage? Vingegaard refused to give anything away before the stage, although noting he feels good ahead of the stage.
“It will be a beautiful day, a tough one, but we are ready for what awaits us,” Vingegaard told Cycling Pro Net before the start of stage 6.
Campenaerts in early breakaway
Early pictures from the stage showed versatile rouleur Victor Campenaerts on the attack in an early breakaway attempt, signalling that he could be used as a potential satellite rider for Vingegaard - on front to assist him if he does attack later in the stage. Nonetheless, the Dane gave nothing away to media.
“We have prepared our team tactics and, as always, I will not reveal them before we leave…”
Overall, Vingegaard is happy with his placing and feelings at this point in the race, and hopes the good legs continue up the Tourmalet.
"I feel good. I've had a good start to this Tour, and I'm happy with my feelings and my current position in the general classification. So far, everything's been going well. Now let's hope we have good legs for today's stage."
UAE expect Vingegaard attack
For UAE, they're expecting Vingegaard to attack as manager Joxean Matxin declared their plan is to control the day's breakaway and keep vigilant.
“I think we’ll see an attack from Jonas Vingegaard there to whittle down the group. It’s going to be a crucial climb,” Matxín told In De Leiderstrui.
Read also
Pogacar's mood or feeling can cause the best laid-out plans to change drastically. But first for Matxin - make sure stage breakaway attackers are closely monitored and that no GC favourites gain an advantage.
“In principle, we can simply have our leader, Pogacar, follow the move. We have a plan every day, but it’s true that the plan isn't set in stone,” Matxín said.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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