Jumbo-Visma is doing it without Primoz Roglic this year and therefore has one less leader. However, Jeroen Vanbelleghem does not think this is a disadvantage: “They only have one weapon to win the Tour this year, but that is in quotes. That is a change. I will not say a reduction, because Vingegaard has shown that he the man against man can also be against Pogacar.”
“Pogacar was just released at Hautacam, so it is my opinion that Vingegaard can also beat him man to man. I still think Jumbo-Visma is the best team of the Tour. This is certainly not a huge weakening,” said the commentator.
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Bobbie Traksel is also enthusiastic about the form of the Dutch at Jumbo-Visma: “We saw Van Baarle this weekend during the Dutch championship and he is in good shape. It is also nice to see the red-white-blue in the Tour Kelderman just rode a good Tour of Switzerland.”
Tour de France | Van Aert creaks in the green jersey Pogacar during the climb to the top of Hautacam
Jumbo-Visma analyzes the course better
According to Bobbie Traksel, Jumbo-Visma is less busy uphill this year, but there is a good reason for this: “Ultimately, it is interesting to analyze what Jumbo-Visma and UAE will do in terms of tactics. In my opinion, there is a little less power uphill at Jumbo-Visma compared to last year, but the course is also suitable for that. Many stages have a flat run-up and then, for example, Puy de Dome. Then you don’t need a lot of power uphill.”
“I think Jumbo-Visma looked very sensibly at what they really need, where UAE mainly looked at the fact that they needed more men last year who could last longer uphill and that’s what they did. Instead of that they really started to analyze what kind of course there is.”
“I think Jumbo-Visma would totally agree to win this Tour without taking a stage and UAE doesn’t have that. There is more that winning stages is also important. They often send someone forward who can go for their own chance to grab a ride. These teams cannot be compared at all. They are just completely different teams,” concludes Traksel.
Tour de France | Vingegaard celebrates first party with wife, daughter and Jumbo-Visma after finishing the time trial
The role of Yates
Jumbo-Visma and UAE both have an absolute master servant, although the role of these riders will be different. Wout van Aert showed last year that he is valuable in every field and will probably focus even more on a supporting role this year. After all, the Belgian has indicated that the green jersey is not a goal. At UAE, newcomer Adam Yates will have to assist leader Pogacar deep into the final in the mountains.
Jeroen Vanbelleghem, however, does not believe in a serious role for Yates in the standings: “No, Yates is not a shadow leader. They are betting everything on one man in that team. He will not let himself sink, of course, but if there is work to be done, then he will definitely do that. I don’t see him in the role of Roglic.”
Jan Hermsen also has his doubts: “They have not competed together, so I am curious how well they will relate to each other Yates and Pogacar. It is a role that Adam Yates has never had before.”
Bobbie Traksel has more confidence in the Briton: “Yates is for me, in terms of performance in the Tour de Suisse and the Dauphiné, the best performing rider of everyone behind the two top two. Riding Mas and Hindley and even winning Skjelmose found I’m not as impressive as what Yates showed when he was able to stay with Vingegaard for quite some time.”
Tour de France | Vingegaard and Pogacar shake hands after a nervous moment in the descent
Where are you looking?
The battle for La Maillot Jaune will start on July 1 in the Basque Country. Don’t miss a single second of the battle between world top players Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard, but also men like Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert! The entire Tour can be followed live via Eurosport and discovery+.
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2023-06-27 17:28:00
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