Pogacar, Vingegaard set for thrilling third act amid safety concerns

PARIS : The Tour de France looks set to be a battle between defending champion Jonas Vingegaard and twice winner Tadej Pogacar, but there is a question mark over the Slovenian's form while riders' safety will be scrutinised after the death of Gino Mader.

Pogacar was enjoying a sterling season, winning Paris-Nice and the Tour of Flanders, before breaking his wrist two months ago, leaving the 2020 and 2021 Tour winner fighting to make a full recovery before the Grand Depart in Bilbao on Saturday.

Pogacar's UAE Emirates team has been reinforced with the recruitment of Britain's Adam Yates and Felix Grossschartner - two major additions for the mountain stages.

If the 24-year-old is back to his best then the stage is set for a potentially vintage battle with Vingegaard.

The Danish rider, who will again be able to rely on the formidable Jumbo Visma team, won the Criterium du Dauphine and will start as the big favourite.

He and his team made Pogacar crack last year in the 'stage of the century' a year after Vingegaard took second place behind the Slovenian.

Pogacar, however, has earned the nickname 'Baby Cannibal' in reference to Belgian great Eddy Merckx and he will be out for revenge this year on a course that favours mountain battles and attacking riders.

Pogacar returned to competitive racing in his national championships earlier this month, winning both the time trial and road race titles, but the Tour is a different affair altogether.

He is expected to throw everything at Vingegaard as he did last year, when he attacked on all terrains, earning the support of the French crowds.

Descents played a substantial part in last year's Tour, with Pogacar risking all to unsettle Vingegaard in the descent from the Col de Spandelles and