Sean Kelly confident Jonas Vingegaard will “put Tadej Pogacar under more pressure” at 2025 Tour de France but admits: “It’d be hard to bet against Pogacar”

Sean Kelly confident Jonas Vingegaard will “put Tadej Pogacar under more pressure” at 2025 Tour de France but admits: “It’d be hard to bet against Pogacar”

 

 

**Sean Kelly: Vingegaard Will Challenge Pogačar at 2025 Tour de France, But “It’s Hard to Bet Against Him”**

As the countdown to the 2025 Tour de France intensifies, cycling legend Sean Kelly has weighed in on what promises to be another epic showdown between defending champion Tadej Pogačar and two-time winner Jonas Vingegaard. While Kelly expressed strong belief in Vingegaard’s potential to mount a serious challenge, he also admitted that Pogačar remains the overwhelming favorite, given his recent dominance and all-round capabilities.

Speaking ahead of the summer’s most anticipated Grand Tour, Kelly praised Vingegaard’s resilience and determination, especially in light of his recent recovery from serious injuries sustained earlier in the season. According to Kelly, Vingegaard’s focus, combined with the tactical support from his Jumbo–Visma team, makes him a formidable threat.

“Jonas is the kind of rider who doesn’t fade easily,” Kelly remarked. “If he’s at full strength, he’ll definitely put Pogačar under more pressure than he managed last year. He knows how to target the Tour and he has the team behind him to do it.”

Vingegaard, who won the Tour de France in 2022 and 2023, was absent from the spring classics and the Giro d’Italia due to a crash in early 2024. That left the door wide open for Pogačar to dominate — which he did in historic fashion, becoming the first rider since Marco Pantani to win both the Giro and the Tour in the same year. Pogačar’s dominance has only grown stronger as he matures, and his team UAE Team Emirates has built an increasingly powerful support squad around him.

“Tadej is entering his prime. That 26 to 30 window is when most riders reach their peak physically and tactically,” Kelly explained. “He’s shown he can handle the pressure, the mountains, the time trials — everything. Honestly, it would be very hard to bet against him right now.”

Despite that, Kelly emphasized that Vingegaard’s experience in beating Pogačar over three weeks shouldn’t be overlooked. “People forget that Jonas already knows how to beat him. He’s done it before, and that kind of knowledge is invaluable. He’s not intimidated by Tadej. He’s just had some bad luck.”

The 2025 Tour de France route, with a balanced mix of high-mountain stages, a long time trial, and fewer flat sprints, may slightly favor Vingegaard’s strengths — particularly in the Alps, where he’s historically excelled. Yet even with favorable terrain, Kelly suggested that the mental and physical edge Pogačar currently enjoys could make the difference.

“If Jonas manages to fully recover and reach peak condition, we could be in for one of the closest Tours in years,” said Kelly. “But based on current form, it’s hard to look past Pogačar. He’s not just winning races — he’s dominating them.”

Cycling fans around the world are eagerly anticipating a clash for the ages. With Pogačar aiming to become only the sixth rider in history to win the Tour de France at least four times, and Vingegaard looking to reclaim his crown, the 2025 edition promises another thrilling chapter in their growing rivalry.

Would you like a timeline of their past Tour de France battles?