Van Hooydonck: "It would surprise me if any GC contender loses time on the first day already"
Cycling
The fact that UAE Team Emirates starts the Tour de France with both Tadej Pogacar and Adam Yates as team leaders doesn't sit well with Jumbo-Visma. Wout van Aert already stated on Thursday that he doesn't take those statements from the UAE camp too seriously, and Tiesj Benoot and Nathan Van Hooydonck shared the same opinion on Friday morning. When IDLProCycling.com spoke with the duo during their press conference, things got interesting.
"I agree with Wout," Van Hooydonck starts off, responding to this website's question about whether he indeed sees Yates as the second team leader at UAE. "Adam Yates is a very good rider who can just as well finish on the podium in the Tour, and maybe they're saying this to give him some personal ambition and keep him happy. However, if Pogacar is in good form, all bets will quickly shift entirely to him."
Still, Benoot and Van Hooydonck can't ignore the fact that UAE Team Emirates has become a lot stronger across the board. In addition to Yates, Felix Großschartner is also a new name at Jumbo-Visma's rival. "In any case, we definitely shouldn't underestimate UAE. They have a very strong and well-balanced team, but that's no different from last year," Benoot says. "We'll have to review some stages, consider the options, and seize our opportunities when they arise."
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Benoot calls riding for two leaders 'more complex'
Because it's clear that Jumbo-Visma has a strong core. Primoz Roglic won't be present this year, as he already won the Giro d'Italia in May. Dylan van Baarle is the new addition compared to last year. And then there's Wilco Kelderman, who replaces the injured Steven Kruijswijk. Van Hooydonck knows what lies ahead for him. "My role won't change, but the overall plan certainly will. Primoz was a co-leader last year, so we had to protect two riders in the first week, but now only one."
Benoot agrees, and he's actually happy with having one rather than two leaders. "Last year was a bit more complex, having to safely bring two leaders to the finish. With Dylan replacing Primoz, we have someone who can ride for the team on flat and uphill sections. We have an extra person, so my role will probably shift more towards climbing and the trickier sections to do my work there."
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Jumbo-Visma does not expect major differences in opening weekend
Pogacar versus Vingegaard in the battle for the Tour seems a safe assumption. Nevertheless Van Hooydonck doesn't expect anything grandiose in the opening weekend in the Basque Country. "It won't all fall into place after two days, that's a utopia. There will be differences, but I don't think they'll be significant among the real GC contenders. It would surprise me if any GC contender loses time on the first day already. Everyone is still fresh. The differences will be greater in the first week than last year, but the opening weekend isn't so challenging that Pogacar and Vingegaard will immediately have a significant lead."
Benoot nods and is especially happy with the climbing stages on Saturday and Sunday. This way, the stress of a flat mass sprint is avoided for now. "It's an advantage to start with these stages. Hopefully, it will be a bit calmer towards the finales and especially after the weekend when everyone is already a bit fatigued. Everyone will be a bit more settled in their positions."
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Latest Comments
- Well explained, thanks for the clarity! Daniel DantasDanieldantas20-12-2024
- This is the kind of 'news' that belongs in a cheap tabloid. No matter how boring the offseason gets, nobody wants to read this.
santiagobenites19-12-2024 - I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024