'It’s a message sent to Pogacar' - Tour boss believes in reignited Vingegaard-Pogacar rivalry
Jonas Vingegaard left little doubt in Paris-Nice, taking control of the race over eight stages and finishing with a gap that stands out in modern editions. It was enough to prompt an immediate reaction from Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme, who was already looking ahead to July.
After eight stages, Vingegaard held a lead of 4 minutes and 23 seconds over Daniel Felipe Martinez. In Paris-Nice terms, that is an unusually large gap. In most recent editions, races have been decided by much smaller margins.
There was no single turning point. The difference built gradually over the week and, once it was there, it never really came under threat. By the final weekend, the outcome was no longer in doubt.
It also settled something for Vingegaard personally. Paris-Nice had been one of the few races that never quite worked out, despite his results elsewhere.
The Visma | Lease a Bike rider kept it simple at the finish. “It’s been the one I just couldn’t get right. Now I finally get it right, and that makes me extremely happy. It’s a good start to the year and it’s something I’m really proud of.”
Christian Prudhomme also reflected on the win of the Paris-Nice rider speaking to RMC Sport. “Paris-Nice had never really worked out for Jonas Vingegaard until now. He finished third two years ago behind Tadej Pogačar and David Gaudu. Last year, he had to abandon while leading the race in the morning stage after a crash. So he really wanted to win it. He did, and he did it in style,” he said.
Pogačar had already made his mark a week earlier by winning Strade Bianche again, so the comparison was inevitable.
“It’s obviously a message sent from a distance to Pogačar, who has dominated, even crushed, the last two editions of the Tour de France, to say that he will be there in July,” Prudhomme said.
Vingegaard himself was more measured when asked about it. “For me, it’s just about racing and trying to win the races that I’m doing. This was my first race of the year, and I’m just extremely happy with how everything went.”
Prudhomme, looking ahead to July, drew his own conclusion. “Vingegaard is taking the opposite path of many other riders, since he first won the Tour twice before winning Paris-Nice. But yes, it means he will undoubtedly be ready for the Tour de France, and that’s excellent news,” he added.
The Tour de France starts in Barcelona on July 4 and finishes in Paris on July 26, 2026.
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