Inside the Drama: Why Vingegaard Escaped Pogacar in Peyragudes—And What Jumbo–Visma Didn’t Want You to Hear
In one of the most talked-about moments of this year’s Tour de France, Jonas Vingegaard broke away from Tadej PogaÄŤar on the unforgiving slopes of Peyragudes. To the millions watching at home, it looked like a pure battle of legs and lungs—two titans pushing beyond their limits. But new information emerging from within the Jumbo–Visma team suggests the reality wasn’t as straightforward as it appeared on TV.
Sources close to the team have now revealed that the separation between Vingegaard and PogaÄŤar wasn’t solely a question of form, fitness, or race tactics. According to an inside leak from Jumbo–Visma, a crucial mid-stage decision played a hidden role in how the race unfolded: the order to “turn off the radio” during the climb.
The Peyragudes stage, known for its relentless gradients and technical finish, was already set to be a pressure cooker. But what many didn’t realize was that the Jumbo–Visma management, led by team boss Richard Plugge, made a controversial call in the final kilometers. Reports suggest that Vingegaard was instructed to cut off team radio communications temporarily as the climb intensified, a tactic rarely used in modern Grand Tour racing where every move is typically micromanaged from the car.
The goal, according to insiders, was to avoid external noise and let Vingegaard race on instinct, free from the distractions of last-minute adjustments or defensive riding strategies. However, this move also conveniently silenced any potential discussions about holding back or waiting for teammates. It was a signal—perhaps unspoken—that the Danish star had the green light to go all-in, regardless of whether PogaÄŤar was ready to respond.
Interestingly, in the post-stage interview, Richard Plugge sidestepped direct questions about team radio tactics. When asked about the communication strategy in the final climb, Plugge kept his answer vague, stating only that “Jonas was in great form, and sometimes you have to trust the rider’s sensations.” But the omission of the radio detail left cycling fans and analysts speculating whether this was a calculated move to avoid deeper scrutiny.
The reaction within the cycling world has been immediate. Some fans applaud Jumbo–Visma for trusting Vingegaard to race with his heart instead of a headset. Others criticize the decision, claiming it manipulated the dynamics of the race in a way that denied fans a fair, head-to-head showdown between two of the sport’s greatest climbers.
PogaÄŤar, for his part, remained professional in his post-stage comments, but close observers noted his surprised expression when Vingegaard launched the decisive attack. Without the usual in-race chatter and updates, it’s possible the UAE Team Emirates rider wasn’t fully prepared for the exact moment of the move.
This revelation comes amid growing discussions about the role of radio communication in pro cycling. Some traditionalists argue that turning off the radio restores the purity of racing, forcing riders to make real-time decisions without constant orders from the team car. Others believe that in high-stakes situations like the Tour de France, such moves can distort the race’s fairness, creating an uneven playing field when one team has information and the other is left guessing.
For now, Jumbo–Visma isn’t elaborating further. But the “turn off the radio” moment will likely become a talking point for weeks to come, fueling debates about strategy, ethics, and the future of team tactics in cycling’s biggest race. One thing is certain: this year’s Peyragudes stage won’t just be remembered for the gap between Vingegaard and PogaÄŤar—it will be remembered for the gap between what fans saw and what really happened behind the scenes.
