A fourth Tour win will draw Pogačar level with British rider Chris Froome for the fifth-most wins of all time. Merckx, Jacques Anquetil, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain have won cycling’s biggest race five times. Pogačar’s team is formidable. He will be supported by experienced all-rounders and climbers.

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.

Jonas Vingegaard thinks his Tour de France rival Tadej Pogačar will be "better than ever" this July as the pair prepare to face off once again in the battle for the yellow jersey.