A explosive discussion has flared up in the cycling world in the past few days. The focus is on the two favorites on the Tour-de-France victory: Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard. Quite a few believe that the Slovenian commits a serious mistake with his preparation for the tour of the France.
The large-scale Tour-de France preparation by Tadej Pogacar ensures controversial discussions these days. While his big rival Jonas Vingegaard is gearing everything towards the highlight of the season and only trains, the Slovenian race drives to races. To prepare for the big loop. But above all to win the classics. This increases the pressure and stress.
The dominator of the scene is the first incumbent tour winner of the 21st century, which started at Milan-Sanremo, the Flanders Tour, Paris-Roubaix and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Brutally hard and competitive races in which Pogacar even had to invest many grains. The question that arises: may he invest too much? So much that he could lack the decisive grain on the tour? Quite a few say: yes!
Contador: Pogacar team should be worried
“I am convinced that the preparation of Tadej is not the best preparation for the tour. […] If I were the UAE team, these efforts would scare me, “said Alberto Contador, among others, the Slovenes in the” Eurosport “interview of the effects of the mammoth program.
Ex-bike professional Michael Boogerd also wrote in his “De Telegraaf” column of possible consequences for the tour and said: “Maybe the hard April pushed some systems to the limit. Systems that Vingegaard had to touch. [Pogacar] Record on the tour when his body begins, ‘stop!’ to say. “
According to Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Pogacar himself had to admit that the four monuments cost him a lot of strength. “I won’t lie, it was hard,” said the Slovenian. It will be “difficult” for him to reopen a spring program. “I don’t think I can do it every year,” the 26-year-old admitted openly and honestly.
Ex-driver sees “no problem” for Pogacar
As controversial as Pogacar’s preparatory program is discussed, everyone agrees in one point: if a driver can put this permanent burden away, then the Slovenian. Boogerd also believes that.
“Last year we saw how he dominated the Giro d’Italia and then was the clearly strongest driver in the Tour de France. He is incredibly fit and quickly recovered from great stress. To be honest, I see no problem,” said the Dutchman.
Vingegaard coach: Pogacar does not affect us
In stark contrast to Pogacar’s previous preparation, Jonas Vingegaard is that. The Dane relies entirely on training sessions and has so far only started on the Algarve tour and Paris-Nice. His coach says: This is the only way.
“We know that this approach works for him. Some say it is a risk of driving little racing, but that worked for us. We also understand that many would like to see him more often, but we have a plan that gives us a greater chance in the” Velo “interview in the” Velo “interview.
What Pogacar shows in these weeks does not affect Vingegaard’s plan, affirmed Heemskerg. “We may be able to analyze his qualities, but he can do almost everything. So there is no reason to think about it. We control what we can control.”
Ex-Armstrong boss supports Vingegaard preparation
The former team boss Johann Bruyneel fully agrees with this assessment. Together with Lance Armstrong, he also focused on the tour at the time and drove just as many races as necessary in advance.
“Jonas and the Visma team have to believe in their plan completely. […] You have to focus completely on a goal and reach the climax exactly when it matters. That gives them a mental advantage, “said the Belgian recently in the” Themove “podcast.
Bruyneel was also unable to predict whether Vingegaard’s plan leads to success. He also knows that on the other hand with Tadej Pogacar there is an almost unbeatable opponent – spring pollution or not.
“Pogacar did not show a single weakness. He was already dominant last year, but this year he looks even stronger. And his Emirates team looks very solid, which can not be said about Visma at the moment,” said the former team boss.