Former rider explains Visma | LaB collapse, and feels sorry for Jorgenson: "He shouldn't have been sacrificed like that"

“Incredible performance from Tadej Pogacar, who did not let yesterday’s crash get in the way of his plans to put on a dominant performance,” Danielson began his analysis. “While he downplayed his injuries and how he felt, I will say from experience that 100 perfect limited his body today. Yes, he could have gone faster today. His team rallied strongly around him and absolutely they will even step up more this race after seeing their leader not let a crash get in the way. Based on how Tadej has raced the first part of the Tour and how he has set up the season, he will now get stronger each stage”

The former pro rider was also very impressed by UAE Emirates-XRG, in addition to the world champion himself. “I gotta say how impressive this team was today with each and everyone stepping up. In comparison to Visma they are sort of the underdog team despite being better than all the other teams. Cool to see them deliver.”

UAE managed to beat Visma | Lease a Bike, which Danielson analyzes in detail. “Visma continued with their “scorch the Earth” strategy for the 12th day and while they destroyed the peloton they also destroyed themselves. Sad to watch Matteo caught in the flames and watch his podium hopes disappear in smoke. He literally blew and was dropped while his team was riding on the front.”

"Shortly after Jonas was dropped and lost the largest amount of time I can reminder in the first mountain stage. It begs the question does Jonas have any say in the strategy? Did he suggest stopping at any point or was he on board the whole time? I think moving forward the team must make some changes. I would be quite confident that if they raced quietly the first 11 days Jonas would have been much closer today and in GC.”

Danielson saw Vingegaard and Jorgenson performing below their usual level. "I think that’s was due to depletion. His respiration rate was short, his heels were dropping on the downstroke, and he was trying to pound fluids where he could. Also he bled time in the second half of the climb, losing time to the riders behind him. Unfortunately I think this depletion is due to using more energy than his rivals the first part of the Tour and likely will make the next part of the race more difficult for him."

According to the former rider, Vingegaard should therefore focus on second place. "The thing is that second in the Tour is a massive result and he truly is, the second best rider in the race. This is a huge accomplishment and I think moving forward Visma can shift their focus to helping Jonas ride his best and be his best. You can do a beautiful race still and everyone can race well and feel good. At this point anything less than that is living in the past and not healthy for anyone. We all also find ourselves here and the solution to becoming the best is simply lock in on being our best until we finally get there. I just feel bad for Matteo as he didn’t need to be sacrificed like that. I hope he can get a stage win now," Danielson concludes.