'Tour is far from over' - Jonas Vingegaard bullish about Tour de France chances despite latest Tadej Pogacar masterclass

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Jonas Vingegaard believes that this year's Tour de France is "far from over" despite Tadej Pogacar continuing to run away with it. The Slovenian stormed to a 21st career stage win in the mountain time trial at Peyragudes, extending his commanding lead over Jonas Vingegaard to 4'07". Vingegaard's vastly improved performance succeeded a disappointing Stage 12 full of exhaustion and suffering.

'The Tour is far from over' - Vingegaard backs Visma to keep taking fight to Pogacar

Video credit: TNT Sports

Tadej Pogacar has further extended his lead in the 2025 Tour de France, but Jonas Vingegaard believes this year's race is "far from over" as he backs his Visma-Lease a Bike team to show just how strong they are.

Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) beat Vingegaard by 36 seconds to power to his fourth stage win after the climb to Peyragudes in Stage 13.

It leaves Vingegaard 4'07" behind the Slovenian in the general classification as he begins to run away with this year's race.

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Yet the Dane is steadfast in his belief that this year's Tour is not yet fully in the grasp of Pogacar.

"The tour is far from over, and we just have to keep trying," he said. "We have to keep believing that we can do something in the race.

"The whole team is incredibly strong and we just have to show it in the next coming days."

Stage 12 was a day of suffering for Vingegaard and the rest of the peloton as Pogacar once again showcased his dominance.

With around 3km to go, the pain on the 28-year-old's face was clear for all to see and whilst Pogacar's own breath gained weight, his agony paled in comparison to the Dane's.

"Yesterday was really disappointing," Vingegaard added. "I hoped for more but at the end I was just a bit empty. Yesterday was probably one of my worst performances, and today was one of my best. It's nice to come back like this, and I think I can be happy at least. I did everything I could.

"We bounced back today. Yesterday was a terrible day for us. Until the final climb, I actually felt quite good but then all of a sudden the lights just went out. To be able to come back like this today is very nice for us and we're super happy with it.

"Yesterday was very disappointing, but also I know the level I showed yesterday was not my normal level. It's not like I lose the belief in myself. I still believe in myself and the level that I have. Today was just back to normal and I have to keep on trying.

When offered the chance to blame his Stage 12 performance on the heat, Vingegaard shook his head and denied any such notion.

Perhaps it hurt more so knowing that the climb was where he sealed his 2022 Tour victory over Pogacar, and this time it was the Slovenian flying to the finish line.

He could not hold his own the day before, and whilst today's was a stage-winning performance at any other time, Pogacar made light work of knocking Vingegaard off his perch at Peyragudes.

'No stopping' Pogacar on Stage 13 time trial as Vingegaard bounces back to hunt down Evenepoel

Video credit: TNT Sports

"At the moment, I have no answer for you," Vingegaard said regarding his Stage 12 falter.

"I don't know what it is. To be honest, it was my second bad day in the Tour this year, and normally I don't have any bad days. I don't know if I have any more bad days."

Stage 14 on Saturday will see a 182.6km ride from Pau to Superbagneres as the Tour goes above 2,000m for the first time this July.

The riders will take on the harrowing Col du Tourmalet before ascending Aspin and Peyresourde, and then they tackle the climb to Superbagneres, which makes its first appearance since 1989.
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