Aldag about Lipovitz’s chances: “…then he will also be in the vanguard”
What: Eurosport
Tadej Pogačar’s statistics resemble something from an overly simple computer game. 16 starts, 11 wins, plus 2 Tour titles and 4 out of 5 possible classic triumphs: the Slovenian cycling leader heads into the Tour de France in excellent form in search of his historic fifth yellow jersey.
The fact that there is even slight doubt about the next title in Paris is directly related to Jonas Wingegaard.
“I’m very confident. Everyone supports our plan and is convinced that we can win the Tour de France again,” the Danish challenger said ahead of the Tour, which starts in Barcelona on Saturday.
And from the lips of the restrained Vingegaard, this can easily be interpreted as a declaration of war. After a convincing title at the Giro d’Italia, he is hungry for surprises.
The dominance of Pogacar and Vingegaard is unique.
The next edition of the great cycling duel of our time will take place on a 3,333 kilometer long track. Bartali vs Coppi, Poulidor vs Anquetil, LeMond vs Fignon, Armstrong vs Ullrich – all these duels have shaped the rich history of the Tour, but none of these duos have ever been as dominant as Pogacar and Vingegaard.
Since 2021, they have competed together at the Tour of France five times, sharing the top two places five times. Pogačar won in 2021, 2024 and 2025, and in between Vingegaard shocked his rival and the cycling world with two triumphs.
Vingegaard and Pogačar dominate the tour
Photo credit: Getty Images
So here comes the sixth match, assuming everything goes as most experts expect. Few (still) believe that challengers Florian Lipowitz or French prodigy Paul Seixas can seriously interfere with the title fight.
The latest winner of the German tour to date is also awaiting the next match between Pogacar and Vingegaard.
Ulrich: Vingegaard is within range of Pogacar
“I wouldn’t underestimate Jonas Wingegaard. He is such a good driver that he could pose a threat to Pogačar,” Jan Ullrich told Sport Bild. I: Unlike last year, when he was only competitive at times, Vingegaard is in excellent shape and, according to his own statement, feels “stronger than before.”
At the end of the Giro he was even able to save a few points thanks to his dominance. “It will be difficult to keep him on the mountain, especially on the long climbs. Pogacar is the favorite, but I don’t think Vingegaard will be that far away,” Ullrich predicts.
A neutral viewer can only hope that the winner of the 1997 Tour is right, because the truth of this duel is that Vingegaard had practically no chance over the past two years (partially sick). In 2024 he was more than six minutes behind the Slovenian in the overall standings, and in 2025 he was more than four minutes behind.
This time Pogačar has something to lose, although this is unlikely to hinder the always cheerful Slovenian.
Pogacar with the possibility of an amazing record
After all, he could have written another chapter in cycling history. Only four riders have managed to win the world’s most important tour five times: Jacques Anquetil, Bernard Hinault, Miguel Indurain and the eternal Eddy Merckx. Doping offender Lance Armstrong was stripped of seven titles.
At 27 years old, Pogacar can now become the youngest rider to join this illustrious circle. It would certainly add new impetus to the debate that has been simmering for years about whether the best professional cyclist of our time is the best in history.
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Is Seixas already on the same level as Vingegaard? This is what Aldag says
What: Eurosport