Double podium for Vingegaard on final day of Paris-Nice
Jonas Vingegaard has finished second in the final stage of Paris-Nice. The Dane of Jumbo-Visma won the sprint from the chasing group behind the untouchable Tadej Pogacar. Vingegaard finished the French stage race in third place in the general classification.
After a large breakaway with Jan Tratnik was caught, the GC riders began to attack on the Col d'Eze. Vingegaard followed steadily as Simon Yates accelerated on the climb but had to pass when Pogacar attacked. The 26-year-old Tour winner ascended the climb at his own pace before joining his main rivals at the front. Vingegaard won the sprint from the chase group after a short descent.
"Of course, we came here to win with Jonas, but we can be satisfied."
"I was hoping that Pogacar would be less good today”, Vingegaard said. "In that case, I would have tried to attack on the final climb. But he was very strong, and I didn't have the power to go with him. All in all, we had an excellent week. I am happy with the way I rode. The best I could manage today was second, and I can now focus on getting better for the forthcoming races. There is still a lot of work to do.”
Sports director Grischa Niermann looked back on the past week with a good feeling. "Of course, we came here to win with Jonas, but we can be satisfied. One rider was simply stronger than the others. We reached a good level, with Jonas finishing third and us winning two stages. The outcome of the team time trial also demonstrated that we had a good team present. I told the boys during the debrief that we have high hopes for the forthcoming races.”