Why has Jonas Vingegaard worn a mask at the Tour de France? - 'There's a few things behind it'
Published 14/07/2026 at 11:53 GMT+1
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Jonas Vingegaard has been seen wearing a face mask at several stages of this year's Tour de France, but what is behind the 29-year-old Visma-Lease a Bike rider's decision to take the health precaution?
Masked-up Vingegaard reveals 'sickness in the bunch' at Tour de France
Video credit: TNT Sports
The two-time Tour de France champion was first seen wearing a mask before Stage 2 of the race in Tarragona.
It is rare to see riders taking such measures, but Vingegaard is clearly taking no chances with his health at the Tour.
He revealed that he had struggled with illness at last year's Vuelta and the 2026 Giro d'Italia, which he won for the first time in May.
"There's a few things behind it. It's not that I have any problem," he explained.
"It's more that I hear already that there's some sickness in some teams and I've had a history of being sick in my last two Grand Tours. Better safe than sorry."
The close contact between riders and staff throughout the Tour can lead to the spread of illness, potentially detrimental for those hoping to compete for the yellow jersey.
"Well, I hear there already is some sickness in the bunch," the Dane told TNT Sports. "As I've been sick in my last two Tours de France, I want to be on the safe side and try to stay healthy.
"It's more a precaution from my side, I don't have anything at all. There's a lot more people, a lot more spectators, a lot more journalists, a lot more things that can go around.
"I just want to stay more safe than in the last Grand Tours."
Vingegaard briefly wore the yellow jersey before favourite Tadej Pogacar took control of the race.
The UAE Team Emirates-XRG star now has a lead of 2'42" over Vingegaard, although the latter has insisted he still has a chance to win a third Tour title.
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Asked on Denmark's TV2 if the Tour was over already after Sunday's ninth stage, he said: "I don't think so.
"Many people think so, but I don't. I've been behind before and won. I believe it can be done. I'll fight all the way to Paris.
"We had a good start to the race and won the team time trial, and I had two days in the yellow jersey, and that was, of course, nice.
"The way things went on the Tourmalet stage was not exactly what I had hoped for. That's how it is now, and we believe that I can get better and better throughout the race. So I'm actually quite confident for the rest of the race.
"I felt a bit the same way in the Giro. It wasn't the best start I had there. I got into the bike race better in the second and third weeks, and I got better and better - significantly better throughout the race.
"Of course, we also hope that I can be significantly better than I was on the Tourmalet. I believe I can do that, and the team believes so too."
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