Primoz Roglic and Jonas Vingegaard must be 'willing to lose' to thwart Tadej Pogacar defence at Tour de France

Jumbo-Visma co-leaders Primoz Roglic and Jonas Vingegaard must be «willing to lose» to prevent defending champion Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) from retaining his title at the Tour de France this month, according to Matt Stephens on The Bradley Wiggins Show. Pogacar finished eight seconds ahead of the Jumbo-Visma pair, who were separated by just one second, after the opening time trial stage in Copenhagen on Friday where overall victory was claimed by Yves Lampaert, while there was no major movement in GC on Stage 2.

Ad/> Speaking on Eurosport's podcast ahead of Saturday's crosswind-affected stage, British former professional cyclist Matt Stephens described Vingegaard as a «confident» young man and that the dynamic between himself and team-mate Roglic will be key to denying Pogacar the yellow jersey. Tour de France‘Disgraceful’ – Quick-Step blasted for conduct after Cavendish omission7 HOURS AGO He suggested Roglic and Vingegaard may need to sacrifice their own chances of winning to thwart Pogacar's charge towards what would be an historic third Tour de France success.

Stephens said: «When asked about his chances for the Tour, [Vingegaard] said: 'Yeah I think I can win. I think there's two of us but I don't know who the leader is.' »It wasn't 'I'm going to be working for Roglic.' That's going to be quite interesting how they manage that between them as I don't think anybody can, pound for pound, beat Pogacar.

«I think you need to be smart and you need a team with two distinct leaders where one is willing to lose. That's what they've got to try and do in my opinion.» ‘Disgraceful’ – Quick-Step blasted for conduct after Cavendish omission 'Enormous waste!' – Thomas forgets to remove gilet, squanders '£5000 skinsuit' />