Vingegaard expects ‘big fight’ with Pogacar as Visma brace for aggressive UAE

The 155.3 kilometre stage from Mulhouse to Le Markstein Fellering contains 3,800 metres of climbing and four categorised ascents. Its decisive point is likely to be the Col du Haag, which measures 11.2 kilometres at an average gradient of 7.3 percent. The summit is reached with only 5.9 kilometres remaining.

Vingegaard begins the stage 3 minutes and 36 seconds behind race leader Tadej Pogačar. Remco Evenepoel is third overall, while Tom Pidcock moved to within nine seconds of the Belgian after an attacking performance on Stage 13.

Speaking to TV 2 Sport before the start, Vingegaard predicted that the overall contenders would decide the stage between themselves.

“I think it will be a general classification battle today,” Vingegaard said. “We need to be ready and prepared for a big fight.”

The Dane has been waiting for the Tour to reach more sustained mountain terrain. Although the steep Col du Haag appears well suited to an attack, the flatter section between the summit and the finish could complicate any attempt to distance Pogačar.

“The final climb is good,” Vingegaard said. “It is the first time we are entering this kind of terrain, so that is good for us. Of course, it is not as good for me that it flattens out.”

Visma sports director Marc Reef believes Pogačar’s team have already made their intentions clear.

“UAE have already mentioned several times that they want to go for it today. That is quite clear,” Reef told Eurosport before the stage. Visma have developed their own plan for the finale, although Reef did not reveal how or where the team intends to put Pogačar under pressure.

One possible tactic would be to place a Visma rider in the early breakaway, giving Vingegaard a teammate to connect with after the final climb. Reef, however, questioned how useful a satellite rider would be on this particular route.

The sports director said such a rider would probably only be valuable during the final five or six kilometres after the Col du Haag. He expects UAE to control the race and bring the main contenders together on the climb, meaning any rider in front would require a substantial advantage to remain available for Vingegaard.

Victor Campenaerts said Vingegaard expects his support riders to remain with him for as long as possible, especially during the approach to the final climb.

“When you reach the final climb, it is crucial to still have teammates around you who can help with positioning,” Campenaerts told TV 2 Sport. “Having to do it yourself is far from ideal.”

The unusual profile of the finale gives those teammates an additional role. The Col du Haag contains steep sections before the gradient eases near the summit. A rider who can survive the hardest kilometres could become valuable once the road flattens.

“Having teammates with you on that plateau would be an almost utopian and super ideal scenario,” Campenaerts said. “But everyone still there at the summit will be a general classification rider, so staying with them will be an extremely difficult task.”

Visma’s mountain support has not arrived at Stage 14 in perfect condition, but sports director Marc Reef believes several key riders are recovering.

“Matteo was sick, but he is fit again and back in the group,” Reef said. “We will have to see how that unfolds today.”

Victor Campenaerts and Bruno Armirail have also been dealing with physical difficulties during the Tour, although Reef said both riders are moving in the right direction.

“Victor and Bruno are both getting there again,” he said. “The most important thing is to have them fully back. From there, we can use the whole team to support Jonas in the best possible way.”