The 2024 Tour de France has taken an unexpected turn, with former champion Bradley Wiggins voicing a startling prediction regarding Jonas Vingegaard’s future in the race. Following a significant time loss to Tadej Pogacar on stage six, Wiggins suggested he has a “sneaking feeling” that the two-time defending champion might not even finish the Tour.
Vingegaard, who has consistently pushed Pogacar to the limit in recent years, found himself in a precarious position after a challenging stage that saw him concede more than two and a half minutes to his Slovenian rival. The substantial gap has fueled widespread speculation that the Tour could already be decided, a stark contrast to the nail-biting finishes of previous editions.
A significant setback on stage six
The sixth stage proved to be a pivotal moment, leaving Vingegaard visibly dejected and admitting to an “offday.” This performance, uncharacteristic for the Dane, prompted Wiggins to offer a candid assessment of Vingegaard’s mental and physical state.
“I saw a man who was destroyed today. The past couple of years he has remained positive when he is in second place, and maintained that he will push Pogacar all the way to Paris. But how many years will you do that? How many years will you finish second?” Wiggins questioned, speaking on TheMove podcast. “I have a sneaking feeling that he won’t finish the race, after having seen him today. It’s wild to say, but we are here to give our opinions.”
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Vingegaard’s defiant response
Despite the crushing defeat and Wiggins’s bold claims, Vingegaard himself maintained a defiant stance. He acknowledged his struggles on the day but insisted that his belief in himself remains unshaken. Historically, Vingegaard has demonstrated remarkable resilience, often bouncing back from setbacks with renewed vigor.
When asked by Feltet and the press if it was difficult to stay motivated after such a significant blow, Vingegaard was unequivocal. “No. I still believe in myself. I still believe that my legs will get better throughout the race, so the fight is not over.”
This declaration sets the stage for a compelling narrative as the Tour progresses. While the time deficit is considerable, Vingegaard’s determination to fight on suggests that the battle for the yellow jersey, though heavily tilted in Pogacar’s favor, may yet hold more twists and turns.
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