Tour de France: Jonas Vingegaard Celebrates 'Perfect Start' After Team Time Trial Win

Jonas Vingegaard described his start to the 113th Tour de France as "perfect" after his Visma-Lease a Bike team dominated the opening team time trial in Barcelona on Saturday. The victory propelled the Danish rider into the coveted yellow jersey, a position he last held three years ago.

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I couldn't have dreamed of better, it's a perfect start.

"I couldn't have dreamed of better, it's a perfect start," Vingegaard stated after donning the leader's tunic. He lauded his teammates' exceptional performance, emphasizing their significant contribution to the stage win. "My teammates did an incredible job, they were so strong. I didn't have to do much honestly, they carried me to the finish line for us to win the stage and for me to take the yellow jersey," he added.

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My teammates did an incredible job, they were so strong, I didn't have to do much honestly, they carried me to the finish line for us to win the stage and for me to take the yellow jersey.

This marks a significant return for Vingegaard, who has faced challenging years, including major crashes, and has been overshadowed by Tadej Pogačar in the last two editions. "I've had a few difficult years for obvious reasons, but coming back to the Tour, the biggest race in the world, and wearing the yellow jersey is something special and something I will enjoy to the fullest," he insisted.

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I've had a few difficult years for obvious reasons, but coming back to the Tour, the biggest race in the world, and wearing the yellow jersey, it's something special and something I will enjoy to the fullest.

The Dutch team secured the win by 8 seconds over INEOS Grenadiers, led by Filippo Ganna, and 12 seconds over Pogačar's UAE Team Emirates. Vingegaard highlighted the team effort, stating, "This is an incredible victory for us, I have seven teammates who sacrificed for me. It's not just me wearing the yellow jersey tonight, they also won the stage." Despite the strong start, he remains focused on the long race ahead, aiming for the best possible general classification and a potential overall victory.

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This is an incredible victory for us, I have seven teammates who sacrificed for me. It's not just me wearing the yellow jersey tonight, they also won the stage.