27/12/2023

"Yes, Primoz can win the Tour" - Jonas Vingegaard well aware of Roglic threat

In 2024, Primoz Roglic will no longer ride in the yellow and black of Jumbo-Visma. His former teammate and protégé Jonas Vingegaard is likely to come face to face with the Slovenian at next year's Tour de France and he's taking nothing for granted.

“That will be something very strange,” says Vingegaard in conversation with Wielerflits. “He rode for this team for eight years and has therefore always been there during the five years I have been here. Primož has been there for so long, that will be a big change for everyone. From teammate to one of the greatest competitors.”

Cian Uijtdebroeks teams up with Jonas Vingegaard in Team Visma | Lease a Bike debut, aims for Giro d'Italia GC: "Is that ninth or fourth, it doesn't matter"

“We always rode together when we were in the same place. He has always helped me with everything I had to discover. And now he's an opponent. That makes it crazy to ride against him later," continues the Dane, reminiscing fondly about their time together. "We have to get used to that. He knows what we are good at, but we also know his strengths. However, he has so many of them that it is difficult to name them all. Primož is such a strong rider. He is good at all aspects of the race, but above all mentally super strong. He is a very tough customer.”

Vingegaard will return to France as the big favourite to claim the Maillot Jaune once again, but with Roglic joining the likes of Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel, the competition will be fierce.

"We need to make a very good plan to see what we can do in France so that we can try again to bring the yellow to Paris. Ah, I have to say Nice,” the Dane laughs. "Primož is really very strong, a formidable competitor for that. Yes, Primož can win the Tour. He was already close in 2020 and at a very, very high level. We have to do everything we can to beat him. Although we also have to watch out for the other two boys this summer.”

ANALYSIS: The 'Big Four of GC' to clash at Tour de France, Olympic Games and World Championships

Ça m'étonne toujours autant de voir que des jeunes de mon âge ne connaissent même pas l'existence de Vingegaard ou Pogacar qui illuminent nos étés sur nos routes

Même sans suivre le vélo,le Tour de France est le 3eme événement sportive le plus regardé et ça se passe en France... pic.twitter.com/0lpaFhdpjk
— Gino Brother 💔 (@KalashCycleTips) December 25, 2023