Jonas Vingegaard is the man who totally rocked contemporary cycling. The Dane has put the undisputed master, the illuminating star, the strongest around, the undisputed ruler on the ropes. The 25-year-old has literally overturned Tadej Pogacar in a shocking, exciting and legendary eleventh stage of the Tour de France 2022. The Nordic attacked repeatedly together with his teammates (stellar Primoz Roglic) on the Galibier and then, when there were five kilometers to the summit of the very tough Col du Granon, he placed a deadly razor. Pogacar was unable to react quickly and his light went out within seconds: a total blackout, a black crisis, an unexpected crush and almost three minutes late on the finish line.
Jonas Vingegaard ousted the King in the mountains, ripped off his yellow jersey and climbed to the top of the standings general with 2’16 “ahead of the French Romain Bardet and 2’22” on the winner of the last two editions of the Grande Boucle. A truly masterful checkmate, which revives the most prestigious and important stage race in the world, which at the start seemed already assigned to the Balkan. We are not talking about a carneade, a total revelation, a man who came from nowhere and who until this morning was not counted among the big names of the event. The captain of the Jumbo-Visma took second place last year and immediately stood out for his excellent climbing skillswhere he manages to express himself in an excellent way and to make a difference in an important way.
Tour de France 2022: Jonas Vingegaard exceptional in the Alps, Tadej Pogacar in crisis: he loses almost 3 ‘and the yellow jersey
Pogacar himself had praised the skills from climber of his rival when he won La Super Planche des Belles Filles in the sprint and today he paid the price on his own skin. The Hillerslev native, 175 centimeters by 60 kg, today conquered his first stage at the Grande Boucle. During this season he was second in the Tirreno-Adriatico and in the Giro del Delfinato (also winning a stage)demonstrating a commendable approach to the great event.
Jonas Vingegaard, in his eighth career seal, has been a member of Jumbo-Visma since 2019, after having been with Team ColoQuick (a Continental) for three years. He defends himself well in the time trial, he was seventh last July 1st in Copenhagen and could have a say in him also in the decisive test against time next week. In the mountains he proved to be the best at the moment, but beware of the possible angry reaction of Tadej Pogacar between Alpe d’Huez and the Pyrenees.
Photo: Lapresse
