Tour de France Turmoil: Bjarne Riis Casts Doubt on Vingegaard’s Race Strategy as Tadej Pogačar Dominates—Bold Critique Sparks Heated Debate, Raises Questions About Jumbo-Visma’s Tactics, Leadership, and Whether Anyone Can Stop Cycling’s Unstoppable Force in Yellow.
Tensions are boiling over in the heart of France as the 2025 Tour de France enters its decisive phase—and former Tour winner Bjarne Riis has ignited a storm of controversy with his pointed critique of Jonas Vingegaard’s tactics, questioning whether the Danish rider and his Jumbo-Visma team have what it takes to dethrone the seemingly invincible Tadej Pogačar.
Speaking to a Danish media outlet after Stage 15, Riis didn’t mince words. “There’s no beating him right now,” he said of Pogačar. “Unless Jonas changes his strategy dramatically, he’ll be chasing shadows all the way to Paris.”
Riis’s comments struck a nerve in the cycling world. Vingegaard, the two-time Tour winner who famously bested Pogačar in back-to-back editions, has struggled to keep pace with the Slovenian superstar this year. After a devastating early time trial and multiple summit finishes that saw Pogačar attack with surgical precision, the yellow jersey looks increasingly out of reach for the defending champion.
“Pogačar is riding like he’s in a league of his own,” Riis continued. “He’s not just stronger—he’s smarter, more aggressive, and more willing to take risks. Vingegaard’s conservative approach isn’t working this time.”
The remarks have sparked intense debate among fans, analysts, and former pros. Some believe Riis is simply stating the obvious: that Pogačar, with his relentless attacking style and clinical execution, is currently the best rider in the world. Others view Riis’s critique as a thinly veiled jab at Jumbo-Visma’s management, who have opted for a more measured, team-focused strategy rather than daring solo moves.
Jumbo-Visma’s camp quickly responded. Team director Grischa Niermann dismissed Riis’s analysis as “short-sighted,” defending Vingegaard’s tactics as “calculated” and “long-game oriented.”
“We’re not panicking,” Niermann told reporters. “Tadej is riding brilliantly, no doubt, but the Tour isn’t won in a single stage. It’s a war of attrition. Jonas is conserving energy. Let’s talk again after Stage 20.”
Still, the numbers don’t lie. Pogačar has taken time in every mountain stage since the Alps began and currently holds a 1 minute 52 second lead over Vingegaard in the general classification. His UAE Team Emirates squad has also looked sharper and more cohesive than ever, answering every attack and even setting the tempo on climbs traditionally dominated by Jumbo-Visma.
The psychological edge also seems to have shifted. Pogačar, once accused of being too impulsive, now rides with a maturity and cold precision that evokes comparisons to the likes of Miguel Induráin and Bernard Hinault. Vingegaard, on the other hand, has appeared reactive, often looking over his shoulder instead of dictating the pace.
“Riis is right in one sense,” said former French champion Thomas Voeckler. “If Vingegaard waits too long, there won’t be a moment left to strike. He needs to take risks now, even if it means blowing up. Playing safe won’t win this Tour.”
The Tour de France is no stranger to drama, but this year’s tactical duel between two generational talents has added a deeper layer of intrigue. With less than a week remaining and critical Pyrenean stages looming, all eyes are on whether Vingegaard will heed the calls to abandon caution—or whether Pogačar will continue his march toward a third maillot jaune.
If Riis’s words were meant to provoke, they’ve succeeded. The question is whether they’ll light a fire under Vingegaard—or serve as a chilling prophecy of a new era dominated by Tadej Pogačar.
One thing is certain: the battle for cycling’s greatest prize has never felt more intense, unpredictable, or symbolic of the changing guard at the top of the sport.
