The Tour de France remains the ultimate proving ground for cycling’s elite, and for Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard—the two most formidable climbers in the peloton—it’s the battleground where their fierce rivalry continues to unfold. After winning back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023, Vingegaard found himself outclassed by a relentless Pogačar in the mountains this year. The Dane has since reflected on his challenging season, a career-threatening crash, and his resolve to rise again.
Vingegaard, the Jumbo-Visma rider, opened up about his crash at the Itzulia Basque Country, where he suffered a fractured collarbone, broken ribs, and a punctured lung. The injury cast a shadow over his Tour preparation and his future in cycling. “I started thinking after that crash,” Vingegaard admitted to NOS. “It’s normal to wonder about the consequences, about whether it’s all worth it. But I’m still cycling, so you know my answer.”
The crash left the Danish rider bedridden for days, leading to significant muscle loss and a painful recovery. “Cycling is not everything in life. I already knew that, but this experience made it clearer. It took weeks before I could train without pain,” he added.
Despite limited preparation—he resumed normal training only in mid-May—Vingegaard delivered an impressive Tour, finishing second. But in the high mountains, Pogačar, riding for UAE Team Emirates, was untouchable, showcasing a form that reminded everyone why he’s a generational talent.
“I was at a high level in the Tour, but you need to be 100 percent to win,” Vingegaard reflected. “It was a miracle I was at the start, but even more so that I finished second.”
Now, with the 2025 season on the horizon, Vingegaard has already shifted focus. After concluding his season early to be present for the birth of his second child, he’s training with renewed determination. “I’ve shown I can beat him before, but after seeing how he rode this year, I know I have to step up my game if I want to win again,” he declared.
Meanwhile, Pogačar continues to exude confidence, ready to meet any challenge from his rival. Their rivalry, marked by mutual respect and unrelenting competition, has captivated the cycling world, and fans eagerly await the next chapter in this epic duel.
The question remains: can Vingegaard reclaim his throne, or will Pogačar cement his dominance as the king of the mountains? One thing is certain—the 2025 Tour de France is shaping up to be an unmissable showdown.
