22/12/2022

Yellow dream - Jonas Vingegaard confirms Tour de France is target number 1 for 2023

Jumbo-Visma have hosted their team presentation this afternoon in the Netherlands, and the main goal for Jonas Vingegaard has been officially revealed. The Dane will be racing the Tour de France in an attempt to renew his yellow jersey.

The news were expected. Throughout the last few months Vingegaard had heavily hinted at a return to the Grand Boucle. He's talked very little about the Giro d'Italia, and of how the Tour's route suited him better. Whilst it lacks the time-trialing kilometers, Vingegaard has proved this year to be among the best climbers in the peloton, and will be a big favourite to take the win if he arrives in his best form.

Primoz Roglic to the Giro d'Italia, Jumbo-Visma confirms pink ambitions

Vingegaard has hence confirmed his leadership status, as Primoz Roglic will be riding the Giro d'Italia, and the team did not mention a Tour presence for him this afternoon. The Slovenian will be focusing on the Giro d'Italia, whilst Vingegaard will have the support of Wout van Aert, Dylan van Baarle and likely a great part of the mountain block - except for Wilco Kelderman and Jan Tratnik who will be racing in Italy.

After finishing a breakthrough second place in 2021, Vingegaard raced the Tour de France this summer to immense success, capturing the yellow jersey after cracking Tadej Pogacar on stage 11 at the Col du Granon, and then resisting all attacks throughout the following weeks in each and every mountain stage of the race.

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"We figured out how to defeat Pogacar last year. We know his strengths and the areas in which Jonas is superior to him. We return to the Tour with a solid plan, and we believe that we can aim for yellow again with Jonas", Merijn Zeeman said during the team presentation. The Vuelta a Espana was also mentioned in the presentation, however with much less clear hints: "December is too early to talk about it. Last year, we intended to highlight this grand tour early because it started in the Netherlands, but the reality is that the plan you make in the winter is no longer valid in the summer."

"We'll check everyone's progress in June as the preparation process won't start until then. So please don't ask us yet who will be at the start in Spain (Vuelta a Espana, ed.). It is still too early for that and the course has not even yet been determined."