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Commentator Claude Jaggi and expert Sven Montgomery look back on 3 weeks of the Tour de France.
Jonas Vingegaard won one of the toughest tours in modern times on Sunday. For two weeks, the Dane had an exciting exchange of blows with Tadej Pogacar before the Slovenian had to let the defending champion go in the third week. Vingegaard didn’t show an ounce of weakness throughout the tour.
If SRF-Rad commentator Claude Jaggi has his way, Vingegaard has been superior all season. For example at the Dauphiné, the most important preparatory race, which the Danish lightweight won with a lead of more than 2 minutes. “What was striking was his dominance and how clearly he was ahead in this last week.”
Spectators and motorcycles in focus
Vingegaard delivered a show of force in the time trial early in week three en route to his second Tour win. For cycling expert Montgomery, the Dane’s appearance there was also the highlight of the tour. “It wasn’t close to perfection, it was pure perfection. Not only on the flat and uphill, but also how he drove the corners – that really impressed me.»
The numerous spectators on the side of the road also provided impressive pictures. They make the tour what it is: a spectacle. As so often, not everyone followed the rules this year. For example, a spectator triggered a mass fall with his arm during the 15th stage.
The motorcycles didn’t always get off to a good start – in the literal sense of the word. They made negative headlines on two stages because they got in the way of the drivers. Or, in the case of Pogacar, not accelerating in time.
From a Swiss perspective, there were few highlights on this year’s tour. With Stefan Küng and Silvan Dillier only two Swiss professionals were at the start. Both were involved in their teams as helpers. Küng reached Paris on Sunday a good 3 hours behind (rank 54), Dillier with more than 5 (rank 129).
Unlike at the Giro, where two of the three time trials were tailored to Küng, the man from eastern Switzerland didn’t see much of a chance in France in the fight against the clock. As 18th he missed a top result. In a few days that might be different again. From August 3rd, the cycling world championships will take place in Glasgow – with Küng as a medal candidate in the time trial.