How Jonas Vingegaard Grand Tour Triple Crown could provide 'psychological' boost in Tadej Pogacar Tour de France battle
Published 29/05/2026 at 13:32 GMT+1
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Jonas Vingegaard could get a significant psychological boost if he joins the exclusive club of riders to win all three Grand Tours with victory in the Giro d'Italia, according to TNT Sports expert Matt Stephens.
Beating Pogacar to Triple Crown would be 'massive' for Vingegaard
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The Visma-Lease a Bike rider is more than four minutes clear at the top of the general classification at the Giro and well on course to win the race.
If he does, he will become one of just eight riders to have won the Giro, Tour de France and La Vuelta - a list that includes the likes of Chris Froome, Alberto Contador and Eddy Merckx.
Tadej Pogacar, despite his recent dominance in the Tour de France and his status as the best rider in the world, has yet to win La Vuelta.
And Stephens, speaking on TNT Sports' The Breakaway before Stage 19 of the Giro, suggested the Triple Crown could give Vingegaard an edge over Pogacar heading into the Tour de France.
"I think for Jonas to potentially do it before Tadej, ahead of the Tour de France, I don't think we can understate the psychological importance that's going to have," Stephens said.
"He's been in the shadow for the past couple of years, we know. He's had victories in stage races, but when he's come head to head with Tadej, he hasn't been up there.
"He's beat him in the past, but this is a reminder of his ability. Doing that before Tadej - it's not exactly a psychological blow, but it's like, 'Yeah, I've done it now', and it takes the pressure off a little bit."
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Highlights: Magnier edges out Zambanini and Milan to seal Giro hat-trick
Video credit: TNT Sports
Vingegaard, 29, was the clear favourite to win the Giro heading into the first Grand Tour of the year and he has so far lived up to expectations.
Several star names opted not to take part in the race, with Pogacar prioritising the defence of his Tour de France crown. If the UAE Team Emirates-XRG star succeeds, it will be a third successive yellow jersey.
Vingegaard, meanwhile, will turn his attention to winning the Tour de France for the first time since 2023 following the conclusion of the Giro.
TNT Sports pundit Robbie McEwen also highlighted the magnitude of a Triple Crown and hinted that there could be a renewed fire in Vingegaard's belly.
"It is a really big deal," he said. "If there was no Tadej Pogacar we'd be talking about Jonas Vingegaard as potentially the greatest stage race rider in history.
"But there is a Tadej. Jonas has beaten him to the punch on this one, which is something nice for him.
"Think back a few days ago when he was sitting there after winning his third stage and the interviewer said that last time Tadej came here he won six. And you just saw something in Jonas' face change, very slightly - didn't want to give it away.
"Maybe there's something more for Jonas to chase, not only winning this Giro, but he might have that comment from the interviewer in his mind."
- Magnier denies Milan in thrilling Stage 18 finale to seal Giro hat-trick
- Why Vingegaard could be 'on way back towards' Tour de France-winning level
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Vingegaard has already addressed questions about his upcoming battle with Pogacar.
"Everything is going very well and my level here is as we wanted it to be. Hopefully, I can take another step after the Giro d’Italia," he said.
"I am at a very high level in this Giro and I hope to become a little better still. That is why we are here, apart from winning the Giro of course.
"I want to be even better in the Tour de France because we all expect a Tadej Pogacar at a very high level. He is a tough competitor, so we must do everything we can to beat him. I think we have taken a step forward."
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