Chris Froome: “If anyone is going to challenge Pogacar this year, it’s going to be Vingegaard”
In the world of professional cycling, few names resonate as powerfully as Chris Froome. A four-time Tour de France winner and one of the most decorated riders of his generation, Froome’s insights into the sport are as valuable as his accolades. As the 2024 cycling season heats up, Froome has weighed in on the dynamic rivalry brewing between two of the sport’s current superstars: Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard. In an interview leading up to the Grand Tours of the year, Froome boldly claimed, “If anyone is going to challenge Pogačar this year, it’s going to be Vingegaard.”
This statement, coming from a man who has faced the fiercest competition in the peloton and knows what it takes to win the biggest races, carries significant weight. But what makes Vingegaard the most likely contender to dethrone Pogačar? And why is Froome so confident that this rivalry will define the 2024 season?
Having been at the top of the sport for so many years, Froome understands the pressures and challenges that come with leading the pack. He has raced against and alongside some of the greatest talents in cycling history, and his experience gives him a unique perspective on what it takes to win the Tour de France.
Froome’s admiration for Pogačar is evident. The young Slovenian has already claimed two Tour de France victories (2020, 2021) and has emerged as a formidable all-rounder, winning not just stage races but also one-day classics like the Tour of Flanders. However, Froome sees Vingegaard as the rider with the most potential to upset Pogačar’s dominance in the coming season.
“Jonas Vingegaard has really impressed me,” Froome said. “He’s got that mix of climbing ability, time trialing strength, and mental toughness that you need to win the Tour. He’s already proven that he can beat Pogačar, and I think we’ll see that rivalry continue to grow this year.”
Jonas Vingegaard’s meteoric rise to the top of professional cycling has been nothing short of remarkable. In 2021, he finished second to Pogačar at the Tour de France, and in 2022, he went one step further, dethroning the Slovenian to claim his first yellow jersey. His victory in the 2022 edition of the race was a masterclass in tactics, resilience, and teamwork, and it firmly established him as one of the top contenders for any race he enters.
For Froome, Vingegaard’s 2022 Tour de France win was a watershed moment in modern cycling. “Vingegaard showed that Pogačar is not invincible,” Froome said. “He exploited Pogačar’s weaknesses in the mountains and built a lead that Pogačar couldn’t close, despite being the stronger rider in some stages.”
What sets Vingegaard apart, in Froome’s view, is his ability to remain calm under pressure and his tactical acumen. The 2022 Tour saw Vingegaard strategically use his team, Jumbo-Visma, to isolate Pogačar on the toughest climbs, and then deliver knockout blows when the moment was right. “He doesn’t just ride on instinct like Pogačar sometimes does,” Froome explained. “He’s calculated, and that makes him very dangerous.”
The duel between Pogačar and Vingegaard is quickly becoming one of the defining rivalries in modern cycling. Both riders are relatively young, and both have already won the Tour de France. While Pogačar’s brilliance lies in his versatility and aggressive racing style, Vingegaard’s strength comes from his methodical approach and his exceptional climbing ability.
Froome, who was involved in his own epic rivalries during his prime—most notably with Nairo Quintana and Alberto Contador—knows that these kinds of head-to-head battles elevate the sport. “Fans love to see two great champions going head-to-head, and that’s exactly what we have with Pogačar and Vingegaard,” Froome said. “It reminds me of the battles I had with Quintana. You push each other to the limit, and that’s when the sport is at its best.”
The 2024 season is poised to showcase even more dramatic moments between the two. Both riders are expected to compete in the Tour de France, and with both men in top form, Froome believes that the race could be one for the ages. “I think we’re going to see one of the closest Tours in recent history,” Froome predicted. “Neither rider will back down, and it’s going to come down to the wire.”
Despite Froome’s praise for Vingegaard, he is quick to acknowledge that Pogačar remains the rider to beat. The Slovenian has an extraordinary ability to seize opportunities during races, and his aggressive style often leaves his competitors scrambling to respond. Pogačar’s versatility across different terrains—whether it’s in the high mountains or on the cobbles—makes him an unparalleled threat in any race he enters.
“Pogačar is a special talent,” Froome said. “You don’t often see riders who can win both a Grand Tour and a one-day classic in the same season. He has that spark, that X-factor, and he’s willing to take risks that other riders might shy away from.”
Froome believes that Pogačar’s confidence and instinctual racing are what make him so dangerous. “He’s not afraid to attack from far out, and that makes him unpredictable. But at the same time, that unpredictability can be his downfall if someone like Vingegaard is there to counter.”
Another factor that Froome highlighted in the rivalry between Pogačar and Vingegaard is the importance of their respective teams. Jumbo-Visma, Vingegaard’s team, has emerged as one of the strongest outfits in the peloton, often dictating the pace in mountain stages and protecting their leader. UAE Team Emirates, Pogačar’s team, is no slouch either, but Froome believes that Jumbo-Visma’s depth gives Vingegaard a slight edge.
“Vingegaard has an incredibly strong team behind him,” Froome explained. “When you have guys like Primož Roglič or Sepp Kuss working for you, that makes a huge difference. Pogačar has great teammates too, but I think Jumbo-Visma’s strength in numbers will play a crucial role.”
Chris Froome’s statement that “If anyone is going to challenge Pogačar this year, it’s going to be Vingegaard” isn’t just a prediction—it’s a testament to how far Vingegaard has come as a rider. In Froome’s eyes, the Dane has the skillset, the team, and the mental toughness to go toe-to-toe with Pogačar and perhaps even come out on top.
The 2024 season promises to be a thrilling one, with cycling fans around the world eagerly awaiting the next chapter in the Pogačar-Vingegaard rivalry. Whether it’s in the high mountains of the Tour de France or the cobbled roads of the spring classics, one thing is certain: cycling is in for a spectacular year. And with Chris Froome watching from the sidelines, his analysis only adds to the excitement.
As Froome concluded, “It’s going to be an incredible season. Both Pogačar and Vingegaard are at the top of their game, and the only question left is: who will come out on top?”
