Cycling: They finally start rolling on Saturday. The heroes of the road tackle the 110th Tour de France in Bilbao, Basque. Actually, a few days before the Grand Depart, we present a list of the winning contenders. This year, however, everything is focused on the big duel between Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard.
Tour de France 2023: Pogacar vs Vingegaard
When Egan Bernal died in 2019 at the age of 22 Tour de France won, many experts reckoned with a new era. The Colombian followed his teammates Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas. Team Sky and Ineos Grenadiers could field whoever they wanted as captain. In the end, they always cheered in Paris. But, as so often, it turned out differently than expected. The dominant era of the British team ended as a new generation of cycling emerged in the years that followed. She is even younger, even more disciplined, even more hungry for victory. Tadej pogacar (UAE) won the Tour de France in 2020 and 2021. The young Slovenian seemed invincible. But last year he had to face the Danes jonas vingegaard (Jumbo – Visma) defeated. Since then, the two have been in a long-distance duel for the role of favorites for the 2023 Tour victory. The experts agree: only these two can win the Tour de France.
Tadej Pogacar: Won 8 out of 10 races
The numbers from Tadej pogacar (UAE) this season are just incredible. The Slovenian competed in two tours and finished eight one-day races. Of these ten competitions he won eight, including Paris - Nice, the Tour of Flanders, the Amstel Gold Race and the Flèche Wallonne. In the two races he failed to win, he finished fourth (Milan – Sanremo) and third (E3 Classic). His great triumph in the Ardennes Triple was prevented by a fall near Liège - Bastogne - Liège. Nobody believed that an opponent could have stolen this victory from him. Despite the fall and a long injury break, Tadej Pogacar is the top favorite to win the Tour de France. Also because he won the only direct duel against Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo – Visma). In Paris – Nice he triumphed confidently with a lead of 1:39 minutes over Denmark, third overall.
Jonas Vingegaard: Won 3 of 4 races
The numbers are also not surprising jonas vingegaard (Jumbo – Visma) absolutely impressive this season. The Dane only competed in four tours and not a single one-day race. Nevertheless, with 25 racing days, he even has four more than his opponent. The race planning of the two could hardly have been more different. While Tadej Pogacar (UAE) has also been chasing successes on the cobbles and in the Ardennes, Vingegaard has been fully focused on the Tour of France since the start of the season. He won the multi-stage race O Gran Camino, the Tour of the Basque Country and the Critérium du Dauphiné. With his incredible climbing qualities and his strength in time trials, he didn't give his competitors a chance. Only in Paris - Nice did he have to take a hit when he had no chance against Pogacar.
Velomotion Prediction: Pogacar is the more complete driver
fetch jonas vingegaard his second overall victory at the Tour de France 2023, or celebrates Tadej pogacar for the third time? Everything revolves before the start of the Grand Boucle about this question. They can only be answered by the two main protagonists themselves. It seems impossible to venture a guess. Because even if Tadej Pogacar seemed absolutely invincible this season, the same applies to Jonas Vingegaard. This year in France, two riders who have almost only been seen winning in recent months will meet. One, however, will have to lose the fight for the yellow jersey. It's possible that it will be a fight for seconds. The outcome is absolutely uncertain. We can only hope that no fall or breakdown will affect this duel. Because then a perhaps epic duel for the yellow jersey awaits us. And although Jonas Vingegaard's team will probably be slightly stronger this year, Tadej Pogacar's team has upgraded significantly. In addition, the Slovenian seems to be the more complete driver compared to the Dane. Vingegaard also has to live with the pressure from the defending champions. Pogacar already knows this situation - and is the challenger this year. Therefore we say: 51:49 per Pogacar.
