Battle looms between Vingegaard and Pogacar for Tour de France

Jonas Vingegaard vs Tadej Pogacar

Defending champion Jonas Vingegaard leads the Tour de France out of the Basque port of Bilbao on Saturday on a 21-day adventure crammed with peaks, postcard panoramas and an eye-catching showdown on a massive dormant volcano on the 3,404km route to Paris.

The 30 mountains on the route lend Vingegaard of Jumbo-Visma an edge over two-time champion Tadej Pogacar backed by a reinforced Team UAE squad.

A year ago, Jumbo's collective strength helped the Dane, more resilient on the toughest climbs, outlast the daring Pogacar in a ruthless war of attrition in the mountains.

Pogacar had finished first the year before with Vingegaard second. This promises to be their third heavyweight bout.

Tour director Christian Prudhomme told AFP this year's Tour is "the return match, or perhaps the revenge".

He added: "What is certain is that it's going to be exciting.

"In tennis, the Federer-Nadal (clashes), the Nadal-Djokovics, it's something that draws you in, makes you love it.