AN A- STAR PLAN B

How Jonas Vingegaard emerged as the Tour’s breakthrough rider

AJumbo-Visma rider finishing runner-up to Tadej Pogačcar at the Tour de France isn’t a result many were surprised by, but few expected the rider to be Jonas Vingegaard rather than Primož Roglicč. To say that the young Dane exceeded expectations is an understatement, but then the foundations for his breakthrough performance were there this year.

The 24-year-old was already enjoying his best season to date before arriving on the startline in Brittany, having won four races this spring. Among his standout results was a summit finish stage win at the UAE Tour, and second overall at Itzulia Basque Country, both of which came at the expense of... Pogačcar. Still, Vingegaard wasn’t necessarily thought of as the rider who could step into Rogličc’s shoes at the Tour. When looking at the talent the Dutch team brought to this year’s race, 2018 Tour podium placer Steven Kruijswijk or Sepp Kuss might have seemed more appropriate heirs apparent. Vingegaard had never ridden the Tour before and his grand tour debut was only last autumn’s Vuelta. But when Roglicč crashed on stage 3, Vingegaard didn’t just step up as team leader, he proved to be the second strongest rider in the race.

The fact Vingegaard emerged from the first few days in Brittany as one of the only Jumbo riders not battered and bruised by crashes, was the first major hurdle overcome. It was his performance in the TT on stage 5 to Lavaur, though, which really laid down the gauntlet for his overall challenge, as he finished third and took time from all the GC contenders except Pogačcar.

When the race hit the mountains, the 24-yearold became the only rider able to say he dropped Pogacčar at this Tour, after his attack on the second ascent of Mont Ventoux distanced the yellow jersey. And deep into the Pyrenees, he conceded only five seconds to Pogačcar over climbs such as the Col du Portet, Toumalet and Luz Ardiden.

Perhaps, though, the most impressive part of Vingegaard’s performance was how he switched his mentality so effortlessly from being a domestique to a leader. Vingegaard was brought to the Tour specifically to support Roglicč. He even said before the race began, “Where he goes, I go… If Roglicč falls, then I fall too.” Understandably, many riders have folded under the Tour spotlight. Vingegaard proved he could master it.