Jonas Vingegaard will defend his Tour de France title again this year after two consecutive victories. The challenge ahead must be the most difficult yet for the Dane, as the opposing teams have already revealed their strong teams for the French competition.
Historic landmark in France
“The Tour de France represents the apotheosis of annual cycling. As the current title holder, I am determined to do my best to protect my position this summer.”
“My goal is to leave a mark in the history of sport, especially in France,” expressed Vingegaard during the Visma-Lease a Bike presentation. “It is crucial to maintain my position at the top and I will fight tirelessly for victory.”
Course favors the Dane
“The whole route seems tailor-made for me. There will be a lot of climbing, especially in the third week”, revealed the two-time Tour de France Champion.
When asked about the strong competition, especially his former teammate, Primoz Roglic, Vingegaard reveals apprehension. “We will have to be careful, especially with the strong competition from other teams in 2024.”
“We all know that Primoz is an incredibly strong cyclist. We need to have a good plan to beat it. We will do what we always do: draw up a solid plan and ensure we are perfectly prepared for the start in Florence,” says Vingegaard.
Absence of Nathan van Hooydonck and Wout van Aert
Nathan van Hooydonck’s retirement and Wout van Aert’s choice of the Giro d’Italia, skipping the Tour de France, also bring extra challenges. “It’s a significant loss,” admits Vingegaard.
“Wout is one of the best cyclists in the world and Nathan was also an important gregarious person. But we have a strong team and I am convinced that we will start with a good group of cyclists.”
