A hegemonic yellow jersey and a single dolphin capable of sustaining a semblance of suspense. Putting aside the very inglorious medical aspect of the two men, there is Lance Armstrong vs Jan Ullrich in the Tadej Pogacar vs Jonas Vingegaard duel. The Dane from the Jumbo-Visma – who unlike the German is able to put himself in a dancer – is the only one to have had the audacity to attack the absolute master of the Tour de France. In vain, of course, since he had his hair done on the line, we can even talk about brushing, but let’s recognize him for having tried. The same cannot be said for others. Unless they can’t?
Possible. Likely, even. Second in the general classification, Vingegaard is the last runner under the minute behind Pogacar. Behind him, Geraint Thomas and Adam Yates are respectively 1’10 and 1’18 behind. First French and 5th, David Gaudu is beyond the minute and a half. None of these three were really able to disturb the Slovenian, even if we feel that his UAE train is not at the level of the Jumbo and Ineos. Conversely, Ineos appears as a magnificent collective force without the slightest strong point. Thomas, Yates, Martinez, Pidcock? Too tender.
Van Aert and the Jumbo still believe in it
So that leaves Jonas Vingegaard and, come on, let’s be nice, Primoz Roglic. If the other Slovenian has already taken several shards since the start of the Big Loop, he was also reassured on Friday. In the role of luxury joker for its young leader (after having conceded more than two minutes on the cobblestones) and in the logic of a team strategy in the Alps and Pyrenees, it can be tough.
Enough to give confidence to the Wout Van Aert green jersey for the rest of the festivities. “I read I don’t know where that Pogacar is going to win and that it’s already over,” he said at the microphone of France TV. But Jonas showed today that he is there, and I am confident that he and Primoz will show that they are still there in the mountains. »
Never publicly showing your defeatism to the enemy is one of the basic rules of war propaganda, but let’s be naive enough to believe your friend Wout. Jonas Vingegaard and the Jumbo-Visma, the last ramparts against the infinite gluttony of Pogi, who always ends up getting what he wants. “I wanted this stage at all costs. I had checked it even before being yellow jersey, ”he assured once the line was crossed. No one can oppose his will. Not even its best Danish rival.