"Jonas Vingegaard Displaying Increased Strength and Unfazed by Pogacar as He Arrives at Tour de France"
**Jonas Vingegaard Gears Up for 2025 Tour de France with Confidence and Strength**
Jonas Vingegaard, the two-time Tour de France champion, is ready to take on the challenge of the 2025 edition with Visma-Lease a Bike, boasting a more muscular and powerful physique than ever before. His preparation for this year's race has been meticulously planned and executed, resulting in a significant improvement compared to the previous year.
Vingegaard's strategy this time around has seen him focus on muscle gain and increased power, leading to a noticeable weight increase. This shift in body composition is the result of a long rebuild following a life-threatening crash at Itzulia Basque Country last March. The Dane is now heavier, but he attributes this to muscle growth, which he believes provides much more power for the race.
Unlike in 2024, when his preparation was rushed and compromised by injury recovery, this year Vingegaard benefited from a fully controlled training program. This allowed him to work on all aspects of his performance, including final training camps at familiar altitude locations like Tignes and Sierra Nevada, places instrumental in his past successes.
Grischa Niermann, Visma's Head of Racing, expresses confidence in Vingegaard's ability to beat Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) in the 2025 Tour de France. However, Vingegaard himself remains evasive about revealing any potential weaknesses in Pogačar's performance, acknowledging that the Slovenian rider will be very strong in 2025, which motivates him further.
Vingegaard is also mentally and physically ready for the race. He is free from the insecurities and fear he experienced last year, feeling comfortable and confident in the peloton. This psychological stability improves his overall race readiness.
At a pre-Tour press conference, Vingegaard was met with significant media attention. He called Pogačar the "best climber in the world at the moment" and expressed respect for his abilities. However, he made it clear that his goal is to defeat Pogačar and equal his haul of three yellow jerseys.
Visma may employ a "Classics-style" eight-man squad in the chaos of the first week of racing, but the specific plan remains undisclosed. Vingegaard himself is confident and ready for the battle that awaits in the Tour de France. He admitted that his rivalry with Pogačar is driving him to be better, and he is determined to give his all to secure a third title.
Niermann also mentioned that Vingegaard's less-than-optimal preparation in the previous year was still very good, setting a strong foundation for his current form. Vingegaard himself stated that he is "on the highest level that I've ever been" coming into the Tour de France.
As the 2025 Tour de France approaches, all eyes will be on Vingegaard and Pogačar. Their rivalry promises to make this year's race one of the most exciting in recent memory.
Jonas Vingegaard, in preparation for the 2025 Tour de France, has focused on muscle gain and increased power, aiming to outperform his rival, Tadej Pogačar, in what promises to be an intense battle.
Confident and physically prepared, Vingegaard believes that the extra muscle mass will provide much more power during the race, setting him up for a potentially successful Tour de France campaign.
