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The title defense is only three stages away, Jonas Vingegaard could be the first Dane to do so. The 26-year-old can only beat himself.
After his clear victory in the time trial – he lost his great opponent Tadej Pogacar (24) in just 1:38 minutes over a distance of only 22.4 kilometers – there were also allegations of doping. The class difference between Vingegaard and the rest of the field seems too big this year. And the doping incidents in the history of the Tour de France echo too loudly.
Vingegaard himself does not deny this at all. After his supposedly decisive victory, he told several media: “If you look at the past, it is understandable that cycling is difficult to trust.”
The tour management also showed understanding for the allegations. But those responsible also make it immediately clear: the yellow jersey and his bicycle are tested daily, says director Christian Prudhomme (62).
Vingegaard denies – but the tour history leaves doubts
Vingegaard also does not want to let speculation about performance-enhancing drugs sit on its own. “I won’t take anything that I wouldn’t give to my two-year-old daughter,” Vingegaard said. “I can say that with my hand on my heart.”
Is this oath enough to silence the critics? There are also doubts about that. Several major doping scandals in the past began with grand pleas of innocence. For example, Floyd Landis (47) said that the thought of doping alone was not compatible with his entire life. Lance Armstrong (51) even accused everyone of not believing in miracles. Both very ephemeral and brutal lies, both were later stripped of their Tour wins.
But one thing is also clear: as long as Vingegaard is not convicted of doping, his performance in the Tour de France deserves a lot of respect. He will receive it if he is allowed to enter Paris in yellow on Sunday. (nsa)
Source : Blick
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
