Jonas Vingegaard says he is expecting all-out attack from Tadej Pogacar in third week of the Tour de France
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Updated 17/07/2022 at 12:52 GMT
Jonas Vingegaard says he will be on high alert in the third week of the Tour de France in anticipation of more attacks from Tadej Pogacar. Pogacar sits 2m22 behind Vingegaard in the GC after losing a chunk of time on Stage 11's memorable climb up the Col du Granon, but appears keen to make up for that blip at every opportunity in the remaining stages.
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Jonas Vingegaard has joked that Tadej Pogacar "might even attack him on the rest day" as he revealed the constant threat the Slovenian is posing to his GC ambitions.
Jumbo-Visma's Vingegaard assumed the race lead from Pogacar after a brilliant, in the high Alpine mountains. But Pogacar wants his revenge, and has attacked constantly since that day in a bid to rescue the yellow jersey, even trying a dig 185km out from the finish on Saturday's run up to Mende.
With the Pyrenean stages not far away, more of the same will likely be on the menu in the Tour's third week.
Vingegaard said: "I knew very well that Tadej would attack me [on Stage 14]. As soon as he can he'll attack me, and I'd do the same if I were in his place. I would be surprised if he did something else.
"He might even attack me during the rest day.
"My job is to stay well focused and not let myself be surprised.
"I was able to stay with him when he went on the offensive, and that suits me well. The last climb [up to Mende] was difficult, even if it was rather short. We had a nice climb and I had a good day in yellow.
"It's still a new experience for me and I enjoy it on each stage."
Stage 15 sees the riders tackle a flat 202.5km stage from Rodez to Carcassonne, before Monday's rest day.
Vingegaard will have to do without the considerable domestique services of Primoz Roglic in the remainder of the race, with the Slovenian quitting the race on Sunday in a bid to recover from his injuries sustained on Stage 5.
Magnus Cort (EF Education Easy-Post) and Simon Clarke (Israel-Premier Tech) have joined Roglic on the sidelines, having both tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of Stage 15.
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