Van Hooydonck: "It would surprise me if any GC contender loses time on the first day already"

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."

Text continues below photo.

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."

Text continues below photo.

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."