“Extraterrestrial”, “real massacre” … The press stunned by the show of Jonas Vingegaard

Jonas Vingegaard’s demonstration in Haute-Savoie during the Combloux time trial did not leave the press speechless on Wednesday 19 July. In France as everywhere in Europe, the performance of the yellow jersey during the 16th stage marks a turning point in this 2023 Tour de France, and perhaps even more. If his duel against Tadej Pogacar had enthralled audiences and observers for two weeks, Tuesday’s 22.4 kilometers changed everything and made headlines.

For The groupJonas Vingegaard was ” from another planetThe sports newspaper evokes a now “flat” suspense, while his Slovenian rival is now back to 1’48” in the general standings.

“Vingegaard took out his fire extinguisher in the heat of the Cascade de Cœur coast and that of Domancy to put out the fire that had been burning since the beginning of this Tour de France, with a fire duel, a total suspense where the differences in altitude between the two were imperceptible.“

The Dane, winner last year, gave ” punctual clocks” valued Free Charentein a time that Yonne Republican judge for his part” devastating“. He even manages to reconcile The Republican East AND The telegramunanimous in saying that the leader of Jumbo-Visma ” knocks out Pogacar“.

Even at an international level, the performance of the yellow jersey in this Grande Boucle is breathtaking. The main newspaper of his native country, Ekstra Bladettitle ” Vanvidsgaard“, contraction of the runner’s name and the word “vanvid”, crazy in Danish. If the Basque newspaper Deia borrows the same paranormal register from L’Equipe by qualifying Vingegaard as ” extraterrestrial“, the Spanish press as a whole uses combat metaphors, more common in the rings, even on the battlefields than on the streets of the Tour.

” Vingegaard destroys Pogacar and heads for Paris“title the world. “Vingegaard transformed the only time trial of the Tour de France, 22.4 kilometers full of pitfalls and heat, into a real massacre in which he annihilated Pogacar. A blow that could be definitive to arrive in Paris in yellow, waiting for the two remaining mountain stages.” ” Overwhelming boss” second El Correo” Danish road roller“for Ace,” Vingegaard sinks Pogacar“he concludes from his side brand.

Victory and doubts

With the dominance of the Dane on Tuesday and his extraordinary performances, the specter of the dark years of cycling is also resurfacing in the minds and columns of the press. ” But how does it do?“wonders The Parisian. ” While we waited for a new close duel with Tadej Pogacar, the Dane flew over Combloux’s watch this Tuesday in almost stunning fashion. And which recalls, despite him, certain dubious dominations of the past“, continues the newspaper.

” Vingegaard’s performance ignited another hell, that of suspicion“adds L’Equipe, while Jonas Vingegaard himself questioned the data displayed by his watt and kilometer/hour counter during the stopwatch.