Vingegaard Reveals Pogačar Sent Private Message After Tour Crash: Rivalry 'Has Become a Lot Friendlier'

Jonas Vingegaard has broken his silence for the first time since a broken collarbone ended his 2026 Tour de France on stage 15, revealing that his great rival Tadej Pogačar sent him a private message after the crash — the latest sign of a rivalry that has matured from early frostiness into genuine mutual respect.

Speaking to Danish outlet Feltet during the Tour of Denmark, Vingegaard confirmed the personal outreach from Pogačar. "He sent me a message, which I was really pleased about," Vingegaard said . "It's cool that things have become much friendlier." He noted that their relationship "has become a lot friendlier there in the last couple of years" .

Pogačar had already spoken publicly about Vingegaard's exit, calling it "really, really sad" and saying "the Tour won't be the same without him" . The Slovenian has described their relationship as having evolved from a rocky start into one where they are "good rivals, respected rivals… even friends" . After the stage, Pogačar even suggested that a middle-of-the-night doping test — which woke Vingegaard at 2 a.m. — may have contributed to a momentary lapse of concentration on the descent .

The Crash: Stage 15, Plateau de Solaison

Vingegaard abandoned the 2026 Tour de France on Sunday, July 19, during stage 15 while sitting second overall behind Pogačar . The crash occurred on the final descent about 20 km from the finish. He slipped out on a right-hand corner and went down alongside three other riders, including Pogačar's UAE Team Emirates-XRG teammate Isaac del Toro .

He remained on the ground for roughly three minutes before being helped into a medical vehicle, his right arm in a sling . An X-ray confirmed a fracture of the right collarbone . He underwent successful surgery in Denmark on Tuesday, July 22 . Team director Marc Reef told TV 2 Sport the operation "wasn't the most complicated operation you can have" .

Vingegaard's own reaction was characteristically stoic. "It's going surprisingly well," he told Danish TV station TV2 shortly after the crash. "It's of course very disappointing for us to end up like this, and that the Tour ends like this, but that's how bike racing is sometimes. And fortunately for that, it's only a broken collarbone" .

A Season of Extremes: Giro Glory Before Tour Heartbreak

Before the crash, Vingegaard had already delivered one of the most dominant Grand Tour performances of his career. He won the 2026 Giro d'Italia, becoming just the eighth rider in history to win all three Grand Tours, and did so in commanding fashion, winning five out of six mountain stages .

He arrived at the Tour de France aiming for a historic Giro-Tour double . His campaign started brilliantly when his Visma-Lease a Bike squad won the opening team time trial in Barcelona, putting Vingegaard back in the yellow jersey for the first time since 2023 . The dream, however, ended on a corner on stage 15.

What Next? The Uncertain Road Back

When asked about returning to racing in 2026, Vingegaard left the door open but made no commitments. Regarding the World Championships road race in Montreal on September 27, he said: "It's not out of the question for me, but I also don't want to say now that it's going to happen" .

However, his team's head of racing, Marc Reef, told Danish broadcaster TV 2 that Vingegaard has no scheduled return to racing and that he "may not race again this season" . Reef said the team will not decide Vingegaard's programme until after the Tour concludes on July 26 . No specific mention of a potential appearance at Il Lombardia was found in the available sources.

Wife Trine on the Mental Toll

Trine Vingegaard spoke publicly about the emotional weight of the 2026 season. "It has been a season of both great sadness and enormous pride," she said . "Sadness because he had to leave the Tour, but pride because he won the Giro and all the other races he took part in."

She added that whether he races again in 2026 "mainly depends on Jonas and Visma | Lease a Bike" and stressed that she would fully understand if he chooses not to return this year, noting the physical and mental strain of competing in two Grand Tours . "The question is what he can still handle mentally," she said .

The Retirement Question: 'It's No Use Hanging Your Head'

Just days before his crash, Vingegaard revealed in an interview with Danish broadcaster TV2 that he had considered stepping away from professional cycling after the 2025 season — he said he was deeply unhappy and felt immense pressure following his harrowing 2024 crash .

"I said last year that if this was how it was going to be, I couldn't be in it anymore," Vingegaard told TV2 . "That's also why we changed some things." He demanded changes from his team, found renewed motivation, and said heading into the 2026 Tour that he was "much more motivated and happier than last year" .

While the crash is a brutal setback, he has not suggested retirement is imminent. His long-term goal, as he stated before the Tour, remains clear: "A third Tour victory would be a dream come true" . Team director Marc Reef confirmed that goal remains .

"It's no use hanging your head," Vingegaard said — a statement that reflects his determination to come back rather than walk away.