Jonas Vingegaard exclusive: 'I really believe' - Dane has no doubts about matching Tadej Pogacar again
By Jonny Bray
Published 16/01/2025 at 09:03 GMT
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Two-time Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard expects to be back to his best and competing with world champion Tadej Pogacar this year after a crash wreaked havoc on his hopes of yellow in 2024. Vingegaard and Pogacar's rivalry has been at the heart of the sport for several years and after recovering from injury, the 28-year-old insists he can go toe-to-toe with him once again in 2025.
'Seeing him get to an even higher level gives me motivation' – Vingegaard on chasing Pogacar in 2025
Video credit: TNT Sports
Jonas Vingegaard insists he can compete with Tadej Pogacar again after injury dented his hopes of winning the yellow jersey at the 2024 Tour de France.
Vingegaard suffered a disastrous crash at Itzulia Basque Country in April last year, but made a remarkable recovery to compete at the world-famous road race.
The 28-year-old Dane still managed to push Pogacar to the limit at several points during the Tour despite his lack of build-up, finishing second in the battle for the yellow jersey and even coming out on top in Stage 11.
Vingegaard admits that Pogacar's performance at last year's Tour has inspired him to go to the next level in 2025.
"Of course, before the Tour, we still believed in me and I still had a very high level," he told Eurosport as he confirmed plans to compete at the Vuelta a Espana next season.
"Seeing him get to an even higher level also gives me even more motivation for this year. I also still want to improve and do even better.
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Pogacar, Evenepoel and Van der Poel star in cycling’s best solo wins of 2024
Video credit: TNT Sports
Asked if he had any doubts about reaching Pogacar's new level, he replied: "No, to be honest. I really believe in myself and believe in the team.
"I believe that I can still develop and also, with the major crash that I had, it was so far from ideal and I think that I can do a lot better."
Vingegaard ended up finishing over six minutes behind Pogacar by the end of the 2024.
Neither rider will compete at the Giro d'Italia in May, but both are expected to go head-to-head in this year's Tour and the Vuelta a Espana.
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The pair's rivalry has kept fans on the edge of their seats for several years, and the Dane believes that the competition has pushed both of them to new heights.
"To be honest, it is quite a battle I would say," he added.
"I like that also, we push each other to an even higher level, which I think is good for him and me and the sport as well. I have really enjoyed the battle with him.
"I really believe that I had far from the ideal preparation last year, but if I have the best preparation possible, I believe I can go to a higher level."
Stream the 2025 cycling season, including the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes, live on discovery+
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