Not long ago, Tadej Pogacar struggled against Jonas Vingegaard. During the grueling Col de la Loze in July 2023, the Slovenian was left behind by another powerful surge from Vingegaard, admitting defeat over team radio: “I’m gone, I’m dead.”
By last summer, as shown in the recent Netflix series *Unchained*, the dynamic shifted. Pogacar reacted angrily when Vingegaard refused to share the work on the gravel stage near Troyes. He later seized control, winning his third Tour de France with a decisive six-minute lead.
Now, as their rivalry becomes one of the most enduring in the sport, the two riders prepare to face off again this month, with Pogacar favored to extend his recent dominance.
The UAE Team Emirates leader says he feels prepared. His team, still smarting from Simon Yates’ late-stage attack at the Giro, will be eager for redemption.
The early stages of this year’s Tour, packed with technical and demanding routes, pose risks for every competitor—especially crashes. Pogacar already experienced this during Strade Bianche, though he still claimed victory.
“The first week is incredibly intense,” he said. “A lot can go wrong before the first rest day. It’s a long race, but I’m excited to compete against Jonas again. He’s strong, and fans are in for a great show.”
Their battle remains the centerpiece, but Pogacar, with 11 victories this season, holds a clear advantage. “There’s always tension between UAE and Visma when competing for the biggest race,” he admitted. “But we respect each other.”
The riders will revisit familiar challenges, including the steep ascent of the Loze and Mont Ventoux, where Vingegaard first gained an edge in 2021.
Reflecting on his heated on-camera moment, Pogacar conceded, “It’s not good to lose your cool. In competition, emotions take over, but after the stage, you shake hands. That’s sportsmanship.”
Vingegaard, meanwhile, remains optimistic, though some suggest he hasn’t fully regained the form that earned him yellow in 2022 and 2023. External factors may have played a role.
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