Vingegaard insists he is ‘feeling 100 per cent on bike’ after illness – ‘Back to normal’
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The Dane’s effort in Tuesday’s individual time trial was dubbed ”sub-par” by TNT Sports expert Matt Stephens after he crossed the line in 13th and lost time to several general classification rivals.
However, it was revealed after Stage 12 on Thursday that Vingegaard has been struggling with illness, a possible explanation for his inability to dominate proceedings thus far at the opening Grand Tour of the season.
Ahead of Stage 13, Vingegaard insisted he is ”feeling 100% on the bike” after making a recovery, leading The Breakaway team to weigh up what it all means before the peloton heads to the two-time Tour de France winner’s favoured territory of the mountains on Saturday.
With three Category 1 climbs coming up on Stage 14 on Saturday, including a summit finish in Pila, Stephens and Adam Blythe debated whether Vingegaard’s GC rivals have let an opportunity slip, or could ”smell blood” going into the weekend.
”It’s a chance missed to take advantage of [Vingegaard’s] sickness,” said Blythe.
”He’s not been his usual self so far. But if that’s him sick, he’s had the easiest week of not having to go too deep.
”I think what’s coming up, even [on Saturday], he might not go all in just to make sure he’s properly over the illness and just wait for that last week.
Highlights: Segaert times attack to perfection to take stunning solo Stage 12 win
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”The team have announced that he has been sick, so maybe they think he’s back to normal form and if he goes easier tomorrow, it’s all mind games as well.
”They might think ‘we can definitely beat him’ if he can only take this much time, or he’s not gone on the attack. For me, there is a lot to come from him, but he will wait for that last week to really open up.
”[On Saturday], I think he will follow. We will see, he’s definitely not been on full flight yet though.”
Stephens wasn’t surprised to see Visma-Lease a Bike keep quiet while Vingegaard was struggling.
He added: ”With stuff like that, they will play their cards close to their chest. We heard [Visma-Lease a Bike sports director] Marc Reef talking about how important it is to protect riders, but also in terms of information sharing.
”They will be advised not to talk about anything to do with riders’ infections unless it becomes obvious, and they have to leave the race.
”Otherwise, if other teams smell blood in the water and there is an opportunity, they will seize it, because that is the very nature of the sport and Grand Tour riding.
”But they did keep it close. We saw a little bit of residual evidence of that, although it wasn’t on his favourite parcours, in the TT.
”But now he’s looking refreshed, he’s looking relaxed, a relatively easy day for him today (Friday) and tomorrow it’s a different matter.
”If there is something wrong with Jonas, we’ll find out tomorrow (Saturday). Because if Visma don’t take it up tomorrow, others will.”
Vingegaard: On the bike I feel 100%
Speaking to TNT Sports and Eurosport ahead of Stage 13 on Friday, Vingegaard insisted he is back to full fitness.
”We weren’t trying to hide anything. It started before the rest day; I was beginning to feel better and already after the rest day I felt better,” Vingegaard said.
”If they think they can use it for something, they can try, but I’m up to normal again.”
”Of course, I still feel it a little bit, but I don’t think it’s something that affects me on the bike. On the bike I feel 100%.”
Reef told TNT Sports that a cough, runny nose and stomach problems were among the symptoms being experienced by several riders in the peloton at the Giro.
He also underlined how hard it is to protect riders’ health with so many people close together in the bunch.
Vingegaard ‘ready for the weekend’ after illness, says Visma boss – ‘Everything is done’
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”I think illness is a too big thing, but of course [Vingegaard] mentioned himself a small cough. I think with the rest of the bunch it was going around, not only a small cough or runny nose but also some guys with stomach issues,” Reef said.
”I think it’s normal after what we have been going through. I think at this moment everything is done and we are ready for this weekend.”
He continued: ”You hope everybody stays healthy throughout these three weeks but it’s not only this Grand Tour but also the last Grand Tour, there are always one or two guys who get something and you try to manage it as best you can with hygiene, with measures, and you hope it doesn’t go further.
”But there are 180 guys in the bunch, they are sneezing, everything goes around over there. So you also try within the team to limit it as much as possible, but the risk is in the bunch as well.”
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