Jonas Vingegaard says 'very strong' Tadej Pogacar is 'biggest favourite' for Tour de France following Criterium du Dauphine
By Will Conroy
Updated 16/06/2025 at 09:57 GMT+1
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Jonas Vingegaard expects rival Tadej Pogacar to be "very good" during the Tour de France, with the current world and Tour de France champion enjoying another dominant season. Pogacar won the Criterium du Dauphine, a triumph which adds to his multiple wins throughout the campaign, and Vingegaard expects the 26-year-old to be at his "best level" in France next month.
'I think Tadej will be very good in the Tour' - Vingegaard wary of rival Pogacar's form
Video credit: TNT Sports
Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) says Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) is the "biggest favourite" ahead of the 2025 Tour de France, dismissing suggestions the world champion will suffer a dip in form.
Pogacar stuck with Vingegaard on Stage 7 of the Criterium du Dauphine to claim overall victory.
Winning the Dauphine sees the 26-year-old's sensational season continue, having already produced a dominant victory at the UAE Tour before winning four of the Spring Classics.
Vingegaard and Pogacar will face off again at the Tour de France, which starts in under three weeks.
Asked if he would be concerned about a dip in form following a season as successful as Pogacar’s, Vingegaard was adamant his rival would not drop off.
"No, I think Tadej will be very good in the Tour," said Vingegaard. "I expect him to be at his best level there. I don’t think he will get any worse."
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Highlights: Pogacar sees off Vingegaard to close in on maiden Dauphine success
Video credit: TNT Sports
Vingegaard added that right now Pogacar is the "biggest favourite" for the Tour de France despite the expectations on him.
"Of course there's more pressure on him, but I think he's also in a place that he can really handle it," he said.
"So I don't think that will change anything at all. I think the both of us have been able to handle the pressure in the last few years very well.
"Tadej looks very, very strong, so it's hard to see anything [in terms of weakness]. We also focus more on ourselves, to be honest. And even if I did see something, I wouldn’t say it here."
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Discussing his own form, the Dane, who finished second in last year’s Tour de France behind Pogacar, said: "Maybe it’s more of a question about Vuelta, if you do that.
"At least for myself, I know that I can do a pretty good Tour de France, then it’s more about what you can do in the Vuelta a Espana afterwards.
"I still do think I can get better. I can’t put a number on it, but I am pretty sure I can get better."
Following his win at the UAE Tour, Pogacar’s 2025 has so far consisted of victories at Stade Bianche, the Tour of Flanders, La Fleche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege.
He has not finished outside the top three in any one-day race so far this year.
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'It has been a great, great year for me' - Pogacar on his form so far this season
Video credit: TNT Sports
Despite winning the Tour de France, Giro d'Italia and his first world title in 2024, becoming only the third rider to complete cycling’s Triple Crown in the same year, the 26-year-old expects this season to be his "best ever".
Speaking after his second successive stage win on Friday, Pogacar said: "To have this kind of year, with the rainbow jersey, you can never imagine. It has been a great, great year for me.
"I know I say it every year, the best season so far, but this year, if everything goes to plan, it will be the best season ever."
Pogacar's Tour de France victory last year was the third of his career, following triumphs in 2020 and 2021.
The Slovenian will be aiming to go within one of the all-time record for Tour wins this year, with Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain winning the race on five occasions.
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