Despite missing out on a third stage win on the final day of the race, Vingegaard settled for second place, conceding the win to Giulio Ciccone (Trek-Segafredo). The race leader himself handled challenges from Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) on the last two climbs before confidently overtaking in the final kilometre, showcasing remarkable strength.
Throughout the race, Vingegaard was never left alone and, along with his team, showcased an impeccable performance over eight days of racing. The only setback was Steven Kruijswijk’s unfortunate crash on the second stage, resulting in a fractured collarbone and pelvis.
Expressing his delight at the team’s performance and his own, Vingegaard stated in an interview with Pro Cycling Net, “I’m just ecstatic about the way I performed today, but more so about how the entire team came together and performed throughout the week.”
“We lost Steven [Kruijswijk] which was a significant setback for us. We are hoping that he is getting better and suffering less pain. That was the only downside to our performance.”
Following a brief period of rest, Vingegaard now intends to focus his energy on the upcoming Tour de France scheduled to start in three weeks.
“I try to concentrate on myself, ensuring I bring my best to the start line of the Tour. The same goes for the rest of the team. I believe we are in a good place right now.”
While he remains confident in his abilities, Vingegaard believes there is room for improvement. “I still think I can get a little bit better. I certainly hope so.”
Will Tadej Pogačar be able to stop the Dane? We cannot wait to find out.
