Jonas Vingegaard: Back-to-Back Tour de France Champion
Jonas Vingegaard made history on Sunday as he became a back-to-back Tour de France champion. The 26-year-old Danish rider secured the coveted yellow jersey in Stage 6 and held onto it until the end of the 21-stage race. Vingegaard’s victory was hard-fought, with the first two weeks of the Tour being some of the closest in its history.
Vingegaard entered the final rest day with just a 10-second lead over his rival, Tadej Pogačar. Pogačar, a back-to-back winner in 2020 and 2021, was determined to reclaim the title. However, Vingegaard broke the race open in stages 16 and 17, widening the gap between himself and Pogačar to over seven minutes.
In addition to Vingegaard’s impressive performance, other notable winners emerged from the Tour de France. Jasper Philipsen won the green jersey for the best sprinter, while Giulio Ciccone claimed the polka dot jersey as the “king of the mountains.” Pogačar secured a record fourth white jersey for being the best rider under 26 years old.
The final general classification standings were as follows:
1. Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma)
2. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) +7:29
3. Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) +10:56
4. Simon Yates (Team Jayco Alula) +12:23
5. Carlos Rodriguez (Ineos Grenadiers) +13:17
Vingegaard’s victory was not without challenges. Throughout the race, he and Pogačar were the main contenders for the general classification title. The first two weeks saw a tactical battle between Vingegaard and his Jumbo-Visma team as they fought to gain every possible second.
However, it was in the time trial on Tuesday that Vingegaard truly shone. Often referred to as the “race of truth,” the time trial requires each rider to rely solely on their own abilities. Vingegaard outperformed Pogačar by a remarkable minute and 48 seconds, solidifying his lead. The following day, Vingegaard extended his advantage even further in the mountains, putting nearly six minutes between himself and Pogačar.
Despite his commanding lead, Vingegaard remained cautious, expecting Pogačar to make a final push in the remaining stages. Pogačar indeed fought hard in Stage 20, but Vingegaard stayed right on his wheel, ultimately securing his victory.
The Tour de France also saw other notable results. American rider Sepp Kuss, who played a crucial role in supporting Vingegaard in the mountains, unfortunately dropped out of the top 10 after a severe crash. However, he managed to finish the race and claimed the 12th position. French fan favorite Thibaut Pinot finished 11th in his final Tour, showcasing his aggressive riding style. Egan Bernal, the previous Tour de France winner, finished 36th in his first Tour since recovering from a near-fatal crash in January 2022.
Reflecting on his victory, Vingegaard expressed his disbelief and gratitude. He credited his team for their unwavering support throughout the race and acknowledged the intense battle with Pogačar.
As the curtains close on another thrilling Tour de France, Jonas Vingegaard’s back-to-back victories will be remembered as a remarkable achievement. His dominance on the road, combined with the fierce competition from Pogačar and other riders, made this edition of the Tour truly unforgettable.
(Photo: Thomas Samson /AFP via Getty Images)