Confident Vingegaard dominates as scepticism rolls in

Stunning ride in the Alps wins Jumbo-Visma rider second Tour against backdrop of doping insinuations, writes Adam Becket

- Adam Becket

Jonas Vingegaard is not a theatrical man. This is no bad thing. The Dane does all his entertaining on the bike, not off it, so his celebration as he crossed the line on the Col de la Loze on stage 17, kissing his wedding ring, was about as passion-filled as it got. He had reason to be pleased - his ride on the queen stage had rubber-stamped his second Tour de France win.

The day before had all but confirmed it, with the Jumbo-Visma rider dominant in the sole time trial of the race, putting 1.38 into his nearest rival, Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates). However, on stage 17, Vingegaard put another five minutes into the Slovenian, cementing his lead in the race.

It wasn't until stage 20, though, after the final mountain stage, that he could finally take in the victory.

"I think it's more euphoric today because it's not over until it's over," he said. "We're super, super happy. Now we get to the finish one by one. The moment will come when I see them [his team] later today."

His second Tour win feels like more of a statement than the first. Both came through Pogačar having a bad day, something that, in contrast, JumboVisma simply did not allow to happen to their leader. Everything went to plan. A margin of victory of seven minutes isn't just a victory, it's a crushing defeat inflicted upon everyone else.