Jonas Vingegaard was not going to faux in any other case. He was anxious, fearful, involved that he was going to lose time on stage two of the Tour de France. And that was earlier than that crash at April’s Itzulia Basque Nation that threatened to upend all the things.
It wasn’t the size of the ascents in central Italy that involved him, however the steepness of San Luca, a climb on the outskirts of Bologna used yearly within the Giro dell’Emilia that has ramps approaching 20%. The Tour was going up it as soon as, after which as soon as once more. It’s the form of punchy terrain that fits Tadej Pogačar way over it does Vingegaard.
So when the reigning Tour champion started stage two by the Adriatic Coast on Sunday, he was apprehensive that by the top of the 200km stage he would have ceded time to his arch-rival Pogačar. Not a lot, however one thing, and of their gripping duel, each second between the pair can really feel like a chasm.
On the finish of one other stifling scorching day trip in Italy received by Arkea-B&B Lodge’s Kévin Vauquelin, Vingegaard stunned himself, his staff and all the race by responding to Pogačar’s predictable assault on the ultimate ascent up San Luca, and even crossing the road a motorcycle size in entrance of the Slovenian.
The UAE-Workforce Emirates man did take the yellow jersey off Romain Bardet, however Vingegaard is degree on time on the high of the overall classification with Pogačar, as too Remco Evenepoel and Richard Carapaz. Little marvel that the Dane was understandably satisfied with the end result of the day.
“I believe this was in all probability one of many levels I feared probably the most,” the 27-year-old stated. “We really anticipated that I’d lose time due to my preparation.
“Actually talking, I didn’t have good preparation for this race, I solely had one-and-a-half months to coach correctly, so I might be tremendous pleased with how all the things went as we speak… particularly how I used to be in a position to comply with Tadej on the second climb.”
Within the two Excursions that Vingegaard has received, he has performed his injury on the longer climbs of the excessive mountains, whereas Pogačar has had extra success on climbs just like San Luca. It was why Vingegaard admitted he was “additionally fearing it in some form of manner”.
“Already earlier than my crash it was a stage that suited him relatively than me, after which particularly after my crash I used to be much more behind,” he continued.
When Pogačar attacked in his trademark out-the-saddle fashion, Vingegaard was fast to react, though he waited earlier than aiding his adversary. “He needed me to drag on the kicker, however I waited in any other case he would have attacked me once more,” Vingegaard mirrored, exhibiting his savvy tactical mind that has partly come to outline him.
“From the downhill I began working with him to attempt to acquire time on the opposite opponents.” Solely Evenepoel and Carapaz had been in a position to be part of them, the remainder of the GC area 21 seconds behind.
“I can say now that if I’m not again, I’m tremendous, tremendous near my regular degree,” Vingegaard smiled. “I believe this has gone manner higher than I ever anticipated. I’m actually glad because it’s been two onerous days.”
It was late April when Vingegaard acquired again on the bike after puncturing his lung, breaking his ribs and a collarbone, and one fixed message from his Visma-Lease a Bike staff was how rapidly their celebrity was recovering. However nonetheless, staff DS Frans Maassen insisted, “everybody was uncertain about him when he began the Tour.
“It’s nonetheless solely two days we’ve performed, however for us it was troublesome to know what the true degree of Jonas was,” Maassen stated. “This offers us a lift that we are actually the place we [wanted to be].
“He’s nonetheless Jonas Vingegaard however we nonetheless had some doubts – that’s regular – however after these two days we are able to say his degree is actually, actually good. We all know if somebody can do it, [it’s him].”
