Jonas Vingegaard and Wout van Aert have been confirmed in Visma-Lease a Bike’s Tour de France line-up, ending weeks of hypothesis about their health and ambitions for the largest race of the 2024 season.
Visma-Lease a Bike additionally revealed their particular blue ‘Renaissance’ jersey and blue Cervelo bikes which were created to keep away from a conflict with the yellow Tour de France chief’s jersey.
Vingegaard will goal a 3rd consecutive Tour de France after his victories in 2022 and 2023 however doubts stay about his kind for 3 weeks of intense Grand Tour racing. Visma-Lease a Bike stated the Dane has “recovered sufficient from his crash within the Tour of the Basque Nation to struggle for consequence” of their official announcement of their Tour group.
Van Aert had deliberate to journey the Giro d’Italia after which spend July making ready for the Olympic Video games however his spring was derailed by a high-speed crash at Dwars door Vlaanderen. He stated the group’s predominant objective was “a high classification with Jonas” however is more likely to additionally goal stage victories.
The USA’s Matteo Jorgenson and Sepp Kuss are additionally a part of the eight-rider Visma-Lease a Bike Tour de France line-up, together with Christophe Laporte, Tiesj Benoot, Wilco Kelderman and Jan Tratnik.
“I’m excited to begin the Tour,” Vingegaard stated, who will race for the primary time since his Itzulia Basque Nation crash on the Tour de France.
“The previous few months haven’t all the time been simple, however I thank my household and Crew Visma-Lease a Bike for his or her unwavering help. We’ve labored collectively to get to this second, and naturally, I’m very excited to see the place I stand. I really feel good and really motivated.”
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Visma-Lease a motorcycle initially stated Vingegaard would solely journey the Tour de France if he was at “100%” when the race will get underway on June 29 in Florence, Italy. Nevertheless earlier this week Sporting Director Merijn Zeeman recommended that Vingegaard wanted to be “aggressive” somewhat than “combating for yellow” to make sure choice.
Within the official group announcement, Zeeman was much more cautious of creating predictions about what Vingegaard can obtain on the Tour and if he can problem big-name rivals Tadej Pogačar (UAE Crew Emirates), Primož Roglič (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Fast-Step).
“I’m very pleased with Jonas and the teaching group. He’s getting back from a severe harm. In the previous couple of weeks, he has proven what a champion he’s, each mentally and bodily,” Zeeman stated.
“After all, we do not understand how far he can go but. We’re being cautious as a result of he has not been capable of race, and his preparation has been lower than very best, to say the least. However he will likely be there, wholesome and motivated.”
Van Aert has received 9 levels on the Tour de France and received the inexperienced factors jersey in 2022. He was eager to return to the Tour after lacking the Giro.
“I’m actually trying ahead to the Tour de France. After all, this was not the plan initially, however after my growth within the final weeks, I actually needed it, and the group agreed,” he defined.
“Our predominant objective is, after all, to journey a high classification with Jonas. I need to contribute to that with a superb group.”
Jorgenson took to social media to minimize recommendations that Vingegaard may have a domestique position in help of the American after he confirmed strong stage race kind at Paris-Good and the Critérium du Dauphiné. Kuss may additionally play a management position if Vingegaard falters however was not 100% in the course of the Dauphiné.
“Matteo Jorgenson has already grow to be one of many strongest riders within the group this yr, with wins in Paris-Good and Dwars door Vlaanderen and his second place within the Dauphiné,” Zeeman stated, detailing the qualities of the riders.
“Sepp Kuss proved final yr that he’s a fantastic climber, an essential domestique, and a pacesetter in his personal proper with a victory within the Vuelta a España.
“European champion Christophe Laporte had an unlucky spring as a consequence of harm and sickness however has returned to kind within the final two months. He will likely be an essential hyperlink within the group.
“Tiesj Benoot had a superb spring, together with a podium end on the Amstel Gold Race, and carried that good feeling into the ultimate coaching interval.
“Wilco Kelderman missed the Giro d’Italia with a damaged collarbone however is now match once more and will likely be an essential rider within the mountain levels. Jan Tratnik has already received Omloop het Nieuwsblad this yr. He was sturdy within the Giro, and along with his expertise and qualities, he’ll play an essential position within the Tour squad.”
Visma-Lease a Bike Tour de France squad
- Jonas Vingegaard
- Wout van Aert
- Matteo Jorgenson
- Sepp Kuss
- Tiesj Benoot
- Wilco Kelderman
- Christophe Laporte
- Jan Tratnik
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