The Tour hasn't even started yet but Jonas Vingegaard has already made things clear, throwing down the gauntlet to Pogacar: "He is the best in the world, but managing to drop him gives me the motivation to do it and do it again".

Calm, smiling and confident in his own abilities. Jonas Vingegaard took the stage at the Tour de France press conference shortly after Remco Evenepoel, displaying that serenity that in recent years has made him one of the great protagonists of the Grande Boucle.

The two-time Tour winner presents himself at the 2026 edition with a precise conviction: he is stronger than he was twelve months ago and feels ready to challenge his eternal rival, Tadej Pogacar.

The main topic, inevitably, was the comparison with the Slovenian champion, considered once again the great favorite for the final victory. Vingegaard had no problem acknowledging his opponent's value: "Pogacar is the best rider ever in the peloton".

A statement of great respect that, however, does not erase his ambitions. "It's a fantastic feeling to have managed to drop him once. This motivates me to do it again this year too".

Statements that bring to mind the great duels that have characterized the recent editions of the Tour de France and that promise a new chapter in one of the most spectacular rivalries in modern cycling.

By the numbers, Vingegaard will race his sixth Tour de France this year, with a 2nd place finish in 2021, 2024, 2025 and two victories in 2023 and 2024.

Compared to last season, the Danish rider feels he has arrived at the Grande Boucle in decidedly better conditions, both physically and mentally. "I feel better and stronger than last year. Mentally I'm happier too".

A growth that, according to Vingegaard, also stems from a different approach to the season. "This year I've enjoyed cycling much more. Last year it wasn't as pleasant and we decided to change something in our preparation. Everything went very well and I arrive at the Tour in the best conditions, both physically and mentally".

An important message, especially after a season in which the Danish rider managed to regain consistency and confidence, particularly after winning the Giro d'Italia. Vingegaard explained that he recovered quickly from the fatigue of the pink race, where in addition to the final victory he also won 5 stages, managing to prepare for the Tour without particular difficulties.

"I wasn't completely destroyed after the Giro. I managed to recover well and quickly get back into a good rhythm. This allowed me to prepare quickly and in the best way possible for the Tour".

A condition that suggests that the Visma-Lease a Bike leader is ready to face three weeks at the highest level. The Grande Boucle will start on Saturday with a team time trial and Vingegaard is convinced that the first time gaps could already have significant weight in the general classification.

"We've trained a lot for the team time trial. In this discipline you can gain or lose quite a bit of time. We're concentrating a lot on this test, but of course also on the mountain stages. We have a well-balanced team to tackle both".

The objective of Visma-Lease a Bike is to start off on the right foot, avoiding conceding precious seconds to rivals already on the first day.

Among the less positive notes on the eve is the absence of Wout van Aert, one of the most important men in the Dutch team. Vingegaard didn't hide his disappointment. "It's a real shame that Wout isn't here. He would have been very important in Saturday's time trial. We'll really miss him".

A heavy absence, both for the work in the early stages and for the support that the Belgian star could have provided in the decisive stages.

Serene, confident and aware of the strength of his opponents. Jonas Vingegaard arrives at the 2026 Tour de France with the conviction that he has all the credentials to fight again for the yellow jersey.

He knows that ahead of him he will once again find a Tadej Pogacar at peak form, but this very challenge represents his greatest motivation.
Because, as he himself admitted, managing to drop the one he considers "the best rider in the peloton" is the feeling that continues to drive him, year after year, toward the dream of winning another Tour de France.