Jonas Vingegaard faced a tumultuous day during Stage 9 of the Tour de France, battling through mechanical issues and resilient competition from Tadej Pogačar. Midway through the challenging 199-kilometer stage, Vingegaard encountered a tire puncture on the gravel-packed route, prompting a swift bike swap with his teammate Jan Tratnik. Despite being two centimeters taller than Tratnik and not entirely comfortable on the substitute bike, Vingegaard pressed on amidst Pogačar’s relentless attacks.
The ordeal intensified in the final kilometers when Vingegaard suffered another mechanical setback, a slow puncture, which added to his day’s hardships. His team’s strategic maneuvers and support from teammates like Christophe Laporte and Wout van Aert helped him regain ground within the peloton after soloing back following the initial bike swap.
Reflecting on the challenging day, Vingegaard acknowledged Pogačar’s dominance on the gravel sectors, where loose conditions favored the defending champion. Despite the difficulties, Vingegaard remained resolute, expressing gratitude towards his team for their sacrifices and support throughout the stage.
“It was a very stressful day,” Vingegaard commented, hinting at his discontent with including such challenging gravel stages in the Tour de France. “I don’t think this belongs in the Tour de France,” he emphasized, underlining the risks and challenges posed by such stages.
In the face of adversity, Vingegaard’s determination to navigate through the chaos and maintain his position in the race showcased his resilience on a demanding day in the Tour de France.