Home
After back-to-back setbacks in the Tour de France 2025, Jonas Vingegaard has finally broken his silence — and he’s far from ready to back down. Following a grueling uphill time trial to Peyragudes, the Danish rider admitted he wasn’t at his best earlier but believes he's rediscovered his rhythm just in time to keep the fight alive.
Vingegaard finished second to Tadej Pogacar for the second consecutive day on Friday. Though he lost another 36 seconds to the Slovenian powerhouse, he sounded more upbeat than defeated, saying his performance was a clear indication of his return to form.
“We bounced back today, yesterday [Thursday] was a terrible day for us,” Vingegaard told reporters. “I knew it was not my normal level [on Thursday]. It’s not like I lost belief in myself. I still believe in myself. I think today I came back to normal.”
Turning Point: Psychological boost mid-race
A key moment that lifted Jonas Vingegaard’s spirits came when he overtook World Time Trial Champion Remco Evenepoel just 50 meters before the finish line during Stage 14’s 10.9 km uphill challenge. The pass wasn't just symbolic — it reaffirmed his second place in the General Classification (GC) and widened the gap over his immediate rivals.
This psychological win, combined with a much better feeling on the bike, transformed Vingegaard’s outlook from the previous day’s disappointment, when he lost over two minutes to Pogacar on the Hautacam — the same climb where he triumphed two years earlier.
“Up until the final climb, I actually felt good. But all of a sudden, the lights just went out,” he said of his Stage 13 effort. “To be able to come back like today is very nice. We're super-happy with it.”
Jonas Vingegaard: “The tour is far from over”
While Pogacar currently leads by 4 minutes and 7 seconds, Jonas Vingegaard believes there’s still everything to play for. He referenced his historically strong performances in the third week of the Tour, notably at Mont Ventoux in 2021 and the Col de la Loze in 2023, as motivation for what lies ahead.
“We just have to keep trying, and we have to keep believing we can do something in the race,” he said. “The whole team is incredibly strong, and we just have to show it in the coming days.”
Even though history can’t win races, Jonas Vingegaard’s renewed energy and mental clarity could yet turn the tide. As the final Pyrenean stage looms and the mighty Ventoux waits on Tuesday, the battle for yellow is heating up once more.
ADVERTISEMENT
