'Exactly where he needed to be' – Visma satisfied as Vingegaard defends yellow in tricky Tour finale

Jonas Vingegaard and Visma | Lease a Bike were left satisfied after stage 2 of the Tour de France, with the Dane retaining the yellow jersey despite Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) sprinting to victory ahead of teammate Tadej Pogačar in Barcelona.

Vingegaard crossed the line fourth on the same time as the Mexican Champion, Pogačar, and Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe). Thanks to bonus seconds, Vingegaard’s lead over Pogačar has been reduced from twelve to six seconds heading into stage 3.

Visma | Lease a Bike sports director Marc Reef said the Dutch team executed its plan despite the extreme temperatures and the demanding finishing circuit on Montjuïc. 

"It was a really hot day, especially on the first climb; it was already 40 degrees, andalso here on the laps it stayed really warm,” Reef told TNT Sports.

"You saw that when we went on to the laps, it was immediately 75% of the riders from the bunch that had to drop, and we went with 35, 40 riders over the first top. UAE kept in control over the laps until the last time, and there Matteo [Jorgenson] brought Jonas in a good position. He was exactly where he needed to be," added Reef.

Vingegaard shared his sports director's assessment after the finish, with the two-time Tour winner pleased to limit his losses to Pogačar to just bonus seconds while keeping hold of the race lead.

"I actually think I can be quite satisfied. I lost six seconds to Pogacar, and I can be satisfied with that. I keep the leader's jersey, and I get another day tomorrow, and I'm going to enjoy it. I've had a good start to the Tour this year, and that's not always a given. I'm extremely happy with how it's gone,” Vingegaard told TV2. 

Despite the expectation that the general classification contenders might attack on the final ascent of the Côte du Château de Montjuïc, the race remained together over the climb before being decided in the uphill sprint, something Reef said Visma had been prepared for.

"We were ready for it, and like you always need to be on a climb like this close to the finish, but yeah, nothing happened, and that was also fine for us."

Reef also felt Vingegaard had done exactly what was required on a finish that favoured more explosive riders.

"We know that he just needed to be there, to challenge for the stage win, being less explosive than the others is more difficult. That's also what he showed, and he’s just there, and we’re happy with that," explained Reef.

Vingegaard also praised Del Toro's performance after the Mexican Champion's rapid taking of a corner inside the final kilometre set him up for success. 

"He took a lot of speed into the last kicker there towards the finish. He has a very good sprint, I know that, so he really deserves this victory," added Vingegaard to Eurosport.