Jonas Vingegaard warns Tour de France rivals he can get ‘better’ as Tadej Pogacar steps up preparation

The Jumbo-Visma rider finished two minutes and 23 seconds ahead of Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) – the biggest winning margin at the race since 1993.

Vingegaard won two stages and on the last stage dropped Yates and the rest of the favourites on a steep finish.

With the Tour de France starting on July 1, it was an ominous display from the defending champion.

“I can be very happy with this week,” he said.

“I’m in good shape and the team rode great too. I am a bit surprised that the differences in the standings are so big, but I know that I am in good shape at the moment.

“It’s very, very big for me to win this race. It’s one of biggest races in the world, so I’m very happy to win.

“I’m going to relax for a few days now and then get ready for the Tour. I still have some work to do, but not much more.”

Looking ahead to the Tour de France, Vingegaard added: “I don’t really focus on everyone else, I just focus on myself, try to be at my best on the start line for the Tour. The same for the rest of the team. I think we’re at a good place right now.”

“I would have confidence in myself but I do still think I can get a little bit better. I hope so at least.”

Vingegaard’s main rival at the Tour could be two-time champion Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates).

He has been at a training camp at altitude in Sierra Nevada, Spain and is set to soon set to race at the Slovenian National Championships.

Then it will be time for a shot at a third Tour de France title.

Pogacar has been training with a brace on his wrist and said last week he may have to continue to wear it at the Tour.

“We’ll see if we can start to put more pressure on the hand. For the Tour, maybe I’ll still need some soft brace around the wrist, just for a bit of support. I hope that I get the mobility to get out of the saddle and for sprinting before the Tour.

“Unfortunately, I lost some training and couldn’t do much on the road in the last four weeks.

“Normally, I really like to have a race before the important race. But a Grand Tour is 21 stages and sometimes it’s good to be a little bit fresher.”

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