Ice beats fire again as Vingegaard wins second Tour de France
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[July 24, 2023]
By Julien Pretot
PARIS (Reuters) - Jonas Vingegaard was always in control as he won
his second Tour de France title with an awe-inspiring display after
mastering a swashbuckling Tadej Pogacar in what had threatened to be
one of the greatest editions of the world’s biggest cycling race.
The defending champion and the Slovenian all-rounder, who was
repeatedly on the attack in the opening stages, went toe to toe for
two weeks, entering the third block of racing separated by only 10
seconds, with the pair in a league of their own having relegated
their challengers to the role of extras.
In Tuesday’s time trial, Vingegaard produced the performance of a
lifetime to crush Pogacar and in a sport that has been marred by
doping scandals, talk about a vintage duel gave way to skepticism,
with the yellow jersey holder having to face repeated doping-related
questions.
Vingegaard denied taking any performance-enhancing drugs and
anti-doping authorities said the Danish rider had been tested 18
times – as of Thursday – on the Tour, eight times in June and at
each of his three training camps at altitude.
On Wednesday, the win was effectively wrapped up for Vingegaard as
Pogacar, whose preparation had been hampered after a wrist fracture
in April, cracked in the last Alpine stage on the Col de la Loze,
France’s toughest climb.
Pogacar bounced back to win the last mountain stage in the Vosges,
but it was too late for the Slovenian, who has now finished second
behind Vingegaard two years running.
“Last year, I had a lot of injuries and sickness in the spring and
this year I didn’t have anything, which made a big difference. I’m
just developing, getting better and better. But it’s not like I’m
gaining 20% every year, I’m just getting slightly better,”
Vingegaard said.
“We all have to make a lot of sacrifices. In a year I’m away from my
family for more than 150 days to win races. But when you follow
training plans, nutrition and training camps, it gives you
confidence because you know you’ll be at your top level.”
CRUEL RACE
The Tour is merciless and hopes can be dashed in a matter of seconds
and this year’s edition offered a stern reminder of its cruelty.
Several top riders – Romain Bardet, Enric Mas, Richard Carapaz, all
top-five contenders – crashed out in a race that was marred by
incidents.
[to top of second column] |
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage 21 -
Saint-Quentin-En-Yvelines to Paris Champs-Elysees - France - July
23, 2023 Team Jumbo–Visma's Jonas Vingegaard, Team Jumbo–Visma's
Nathan Van Hooydonck, Team Jumbo–Visma's Tiesj Benoot, Team Jumbo–Visma's
Sepp Kuss, Team Jumbo–Visma's Wilco Kelderman and Team Jumbo–Visma's
Christophe Laporte cross the finish line after stage 21
REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
On the Col de Joux-Plane, Pogacar came close to
colliding with a race motorbike that was blocked by fans as he was
gearing up for a sprint while Vingegaard was forced to put his foot
on the ground while behind a TV motorbike and an organizers’ car on
the Col de la Loze.
The battle for the general classification was effectively over that
day as Pogacar, his jersey zipped wide open and his face drained of
color, suffered way back down the road, with his rival having
disappeared into the distance.
Once that fight was over, the race lacked intriguing subplots,
especially after a teary-eyed Mark Cavendish, chasing a
record-breaking 35th stage win, crashed out in the eighth stage.
Belgian Jasper Philipsen dominated the bunch sprints, taking a total
of four.
Emotions ran high on ‘Pinot day’ on Saturday, as France's local hero
produced his last mountain effort in the race, and when three riders
from Bahrain Victorious claimed stage wins, dedicated to the memory
of their former team mate Gino Mader, who died following a crash in
the Tour de Suisse last month.
Vingegaard will now ‘relax’ and head for the Vuelta a Espana with
team mate Primoz Roglic as Jumbo-Visma look to cement their
domination on the grand tours as Ineos-Grenadiers (formerly known as
Team Sky) once did.
This year, the British outfit – winners of all but one Tours between
2012-2019 - failed to make it on to the podium for the second time
in the last four editions.
With Vingegaard, arguably the current best grand tour rider, in
Spain, Pogacar might take part in the world championships.
He will hope to add to his collection of one-day race titles and
strengthen his status as the best all-round bike rider in the world
– at least until Belgian prodigy Remco Evenepoel makes his Tour
debut and turns what has been a classic dual into a captivating
three-way battle.
(Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Toby Davis)
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