Florence (Italy), Jul 27 (EFE).- The Danish Jonas Vingegaard (Visma), defender of the final two titles within the Tour of Franceand his nice enemy on the street, the Slovenian Tadej Pogacar (UAE), winner in Paris in 2021 and 2022, are known as upon to interrupt the tie in a hand-to-hand fight that appears uneven.
Whereas the Nordic rider has not competed since April 4 resulting from a critical fall on the Itzulia, combating an actual time trial to regain his greatest kind, Pogacar arrives because the emperor of the season following his show on the Giro, and with the ambition of reaching the Giro-Tour double that nobody has achieved since Pantani’s feat in 1998.
Pogacar, 25, arrives within the metropolis the place the Renaissance was born with 14 victories and no modifications in his preparation. The starvation for achievement will likely be his driving pressure, and he particularly desires a 3rd Tour crown and the celebrated double. Wounded in his satisfaction following two years overwhelmed by Vingegaard, the chance is introduced to him on a silver platter.
The Slovenian rested following the Giro following which focused on excessive altitude, in Isola 2000, exactly the ultimate stage of the Tour, though he needed to reduce days as a result of dying of his grandfather. He arrives in good condition and “with higher sensations than ever” following a season through which he has put concern into his rivals. Aside from the Giro, he additionally confirmed off within the Strade Bianche, Volta a Catalunya and Liège.
It’s protected to say that Pogacar is able to proceed including to his story. He’s the large favorite to reach in Good in yellow. Aside from Vingegaard, if he reaches his greatest degree, no rival can overshadow him within the present peloton.
Pogacar acquired a style of his personal medication final 12 months when he mentioned “I am lifeless” on the Col de la Loze, or when Vingegaard destroyed him on the Combloux chrome. This time, with the lesson realized, the Slovenian may bolt from Florence, making the most of the circumstances surrounding his rival.
The fourth day contains the legendary Galibier large, and a 25km time trial within the first week. He is aware of that the primary few days may be essential. His crew is aware of that Pogacar has not worn yellow for the reason that Jumbo crash on the Col du Granon in 2022.
Within the problem of the Giro-Tour double, figures corresponding to Chris Froome, Alberto Contador and Tom Dumoulin beforehand failed. Now Pogacar doesn’t need to make a mistake, that’s the reason he has surrounded himself with a “Dream Workforce”, with the Spanish Juan Ayuso, Joao Almeida and Adam Yates beneath his command.
VINGEGAARD, WITH THE UNKNOWN ON HIS BACK
Jonás Vingegaard (Hillerslev, 27 years previous), a former worker of a fish firm earlier than turning into a bicycle owner, spent 12 days within the Txagorritxu Hospital in Vitoria following struggling a fall in Itzulia on April 4, the identical as Roglic and Evenepoel. A damaged collarbone and a pneumothorax hampered his season ever since.
Visma received the large three final 12 months, however this 2024 they deviated from the trail of glory. Earlier than beginning the Tour Sepp Kuus has been sick resulting from Covid. Nevertheless, the crew might have potential, though the doubt is exactly the chief. Vingegaard might have Van Aert, Laporte, Jorgenson, Benoot, Tratnik, Kelderman and Bart Lenmen at his facet.
Visma Lease a Bike will ship its chief to the check with many doubts, therefore the inclusion within the crew as a “Plan B” of the American Matteo Jorgenson, a former Movistar rider who has taken off strongly this season since profitable Paris Good.
Visma and Vingegaard have concentrated in Tignes, assuming an actual preparatory time trial. The Dane arrives with out competitors rhythm, but when he exhibits up within the Tuscan capital it is going to be as a result of he sees himself in a minimal situation to compete for the defence of the title. Zeeman, Visma’s coach, assures that “final 12 months there was quite a lot of stress, this 12 months there’s quite a lot of pleasure”
Within the chapter of doubts and conjectures, there are those that suggest that if in 2023 Vingegaard received by a distinction of seven.half-hour, can or not it’s dominated out that at 90 p.c he can retain the title?
Carlos de Torres
#PogacarVingegaard #uneven #battle #crown
2024-06-29 02:51:24
