Jonas Vingegaard predicts Tadej Pogačar will be 'stronger than ever' at the next Tour de France as the two champions prepare for yet another duel for the yellow jersey.

The two riders have dominated recent editions of the Grande Boucle, with Pogačar winning in 2020 and 2021, before handing over the title to the Dane in 2022 and 2023. Last year, the Slovenian scored his clearest victory, with a 6:17 advantage over Vingegaard after a troubled preparation for the latter.

From the Visma-Lease A Bike high-altitude training camp in the Sierra Nevada, Vingegaard said: 'I think he will be better than ever at the Tour de France. Consequently, I will have to be as well.' The Dane stressed that he was mainly focused on his own condition rather than his opponents.

'I feel like I'm improving in every aspect. We're focusing on improving both in sprinting and in threshold and peak power,' added Vingegaard, who has only crossed paths with Pogačar this year at the Critérium du Dauphiné, where he finished second.

The Danish rider acknowledged that his rival is 'probably one of the best in history', also recalling his admiration for Alberto Contador, his childhood idol: 'I always liked his racing style, the way he always attacked without fear of anything'.

Starting on Saturday in Lille, this historic rivalry will resume on the road to Paris, with Pogačar aiming for a fourth title to equal Chris Froome, while Vingegaard seeks to join the Slovenian on three victories.

Sprint Cycling Photo