'Today was one of my best' - Vingegaard bounces back with strong TT

After losing 2:10 to Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) on the Hautacam just over 24 hours ago, the mood in the Visma | Lease a Bike camp was sombre. 

However, despite being second best again on stage 13's mountain time trial to Peyragudes, it was a much improved ride from Jonas Vingegaard, who is far more positive, having described his performance as 'one of my best'.

"I mean, of course, yesterday was really disappointing. I hoped for more, but at the end, I was just a bit empty," Vingegaard said to reporters after finishing his effort. The Dane finished 36 seconds behind Pogačar and 44 seconds ahead of Primož Roglič (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) in third. Vingegaard also caught and passed Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) on the super steep runway to the finish.

"I think yesterday was probably one of my worst performances, and today was one of my best. So, of course, it's nice to come back like this, and yeah, I think I can be happy at least, and I did everything I could," he added.

It was a difficult day all round for the Dutch team on stage 12, with Matteo Jorgenson having an off day whilst Pogačar reigned supreme over Vingegaard, but both the Dane and his American teammate deflected the negativity from 24 hours ago with strong time trial performances to Peyragudes.

"Yeah, true. I mean, we bounced back today. Yesterday was a terrible day for us. Until the final climb, I actually felt quite good, but then all of a sudden, the lights just went out, and to be able to come back like this today is very nice for us, and we were super happy with it," reflected Vingegaard.

Vingegaard was also asked about how he was able to pick himself back up and find the right state of mind after stage 12, with many more key days to contend with, where he needs to remain focused on the task at hand. “Yesterday was very disappointing, but I also know that the level I showed yesterday was not my normal level. So, yeah, it's not like I lose the belief in myself," said Vingegaard. 

"I still believe in myself and in the level that I have. And I think today, then, yeah, I was just back to normal. I just have to, yeah, keep on trying, you know.”

It was a swelteringly hot day in the Pyrenees on Thursday, with constant images of riders trying to drown themselves with water to cool down, and the Dane was asked if this was a contributing factor to the stage for him personally.

"I don't think it was the heat. At the moment, I have no answer for you. I don't know what it was, and to be honest, it was my second bad day on the tour this year, and normally, I don't have any bad days. So, of course, yeah, I don't hope to have any more bad days." 

Despite Pogačar already having a commanding lead of 4:07 over Jonas Vingegaard, with Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) at 7:24 in third, there are still many more mountain stages to come, with one more in the Pyrenees on Saturday with a summit finish to Superbagnères, before the Alps in week three. Vingegaard sits comfortably in second and remains motivated to get the most out of this Tour de France before Paris.

“I mean, of course, the Tour is far from over, and we just have to keep trying. We have to keep believing that we can do something here in the race. And yeah, the whole team is incredibly strong, and we just have to show it in the next coming days," said the Dane.