Tadej Pogacar will begin this year's Tour de France as the strong favourite to win cycling's greatest race for a fourth time - but will anyone stop him?

Defending champion Tadej Pogacar insisted he had every respect for his great Tour de France rival Jonas Vingegaard ahead of Saturday's opening stage in Lille. Pogacar suggested he might need to get ahead of Vingegaard early before the Tour hits the high mountains.

Tadej Pogačar is the favorite to win this year’s Tour de France. The 26-year-old Slovenian cyclist's quest for a fourth Tour title starts Saturday in Lille after an impressive season, including victories in one-day races and the recent Critérium du Dauphiné.