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 type for 3 weeks of intense Grand Tour racing. Visma-Lease a Bike mentioned the Dane has “recovered sufficient from his crash within the Tour of the Basque Country to struggle for a great consequence” of their official announcement of their Tour crew.
Van Aert had deliberate to journey the Giro d’Italia after which spend July getting ready for the Olympic Games however his spring was derailed by a high-speed crash at Dwars door Vlaanderen. He mentioned the crew’s primary objective was “a high classification with Jonas” however is prone 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 start out the Tour,” Vingegaard mentioned, who will race for the primary time since his Itzulia Basque Country crash on the Tour de France.
“The previous couple of months haven’t at all times been straightforward, however I thank my household and Team Visma-Lease a Bike for his or her unwavering assist. We have 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 mentioned 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. However earlier this week Sporting Director Merijn Zeeman advised that Vingegaard wanted to be “aggressive” quite than “preventing for yellow” to make sure choice.
In the official crew 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 Team Emirates), Primož Roglič (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step).
“I’m very pleased with Jonas and the teaching crew. He is getting back from a severe damage. In the previous couple of weeks, he has proven what a champion he’s, each mentally and bodily,” Zeeman mentioned.
“Of course, we do not understand how far he can go but. We are being cautious as a result of he has not been in a position to race, and his preparation has been lower than superb, to say the least. But he can 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. Of course, this was not the plan initially, however after my improvement within the final weeks, I actually needed it, and the crew agreed,” he defined.
“Our primary objective is, in fact, to journey a high classification with Jonas. I need to contribute to that with a wonderful crew.”
Jorgenson took to social media to minimize solutions that Vingegaard may have a domestique position in assist of the American after he confirmed stable stage race type at Paris-Nice 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 turn into one of many strongest riders within the crew this yr, with wins in Paris-Nice and Dwars door Vlaanderen and his second place within the Dauphiné,” Zeeman mentioned, detailing the qualities of the riders.
“Sepp Kuss proved final yr that he’s a fantastic climber, an necessary domestique, and a frontrunner in his personal proper with a victory within the Vuelta a España.
“European champion Christophe Laporte had an unlucky spring as a result of damage and sickness however has returned to type within the final two months. He can be an necessary hyperlink within the crew.
“Tiesj Benoot had a wonderful 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 can be an necessary rider within the mountain levels. Jan Tratnik has already received Omloop het Nieuwsblad this yr. He was robust within the Giro, and together with his expertise and qualities, he’ll play an necessary 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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