UAE hail Vingegaard's impressive Giro performance as talk turns to Pogačar and the Tour

Now that Jonas Vingegaard seems almost certain to win the Giro d’Italia, the final stages are no longer about winning or losing, but about energy management. The Visma | Lease a Bike rider had already said after his fourth stage win in stage 16 that he might ease off a little, with an eye on the Tour de France. Questions about the Tour and Tadej Pogačar are also starting to come.

Vingegaard’s crystal ball was not quite on the money on Thursday, ahead of stage 18. On Cycling Pro Net, he predicted: “It could be a day for the breakaway, depending on whether a team wants to control for the stage win,” he said in the mixed zone.

Vingegaard even raised the possibility of attacks from the GC contenders. “As a general classification team, we have to be ready for the finale, because that last climb is really steep. It can be a fight in all scenarios. I would not be surprised if we see attacks. But there are also two hard mountain stages coming, so maybe everyone will save themselves for what is ahead.”

After stage 18, Vingegaard had to admit that virtually none of the predictions from the start had come true. Sprinter Paul Magnier won the stage after the sprint teams controlled most of the day. “I did not expect this scenario, but the sprint teams were impressive and deserved the win today,” he said appreciatively in the video.

“They controlled from the start and the sprinters climbed really well. They were able to let a good breakaway go,” said Vingegaard, who was therefore positioned near the front as they went over the Muro di Ca' del Poggio. The Dane also picked up 3 mountain points at the top. “I was there and I have the mountain jersey, so why would I not take the points there?”

Vingegaard enters the final two mountain stages with a lead of 4 minutes, meaning there was also time in the mixed zone to look ahead. How will Visma | Lease a Bike approach the Giro’s final weekend, knowing that the Tour de France awaits in July? “We have made a plan and so far we are on schedule.”

“Everything is going very well and my level here is as we wanted it to be. Hopefully, I can take another step after the Giro d’Italia,” Vingegaard said ambitiously. Speaking to Marca, he also said: “I am at a very high level in this Giro and I hope to become a little better still. That is why we are here, apart from winning the Giro of course.”

“I want to be even better in the Tour de France, because we all expect a Tadej Pogačar at a very high level.” Vingegaard was happy to talk about his big rival for the Tour this summer. “He is a tough competitor, so we must do everything we can to beat him. I think we have taken a step forward.”

Naturally, the questions also went the other way towards Pogačar’s team. Joxean Matxin told Domestique of Vingegaard: “This is actually what we expected, because he was the big favourite from the start. I don’t think Vingegaard has surprised anyone. He is dominating the Giro, albeit a bit more conservatively.”

“He seems to be minimising his efforts while maximising his performances. He is not hiding that, so he can go to the Tour de France without having done too much work or too many sacrifices,” Matxin said. “He does not need to please anyone. Vingegaard gets results with minimal effort, and he does that very well.”