Simple is as simple does, and it's not that simple. Having functional lungs and mended bones are what's necessary to begin training seriously. Then you can build form to the point you can comfortably ride in a group, motorpace and the basic training to get race ready. Lab performances only take you to a fitness level; not a race level it is as simple as that.We're not talking about him recovering from a health issue. He would still need to be fully fit to ride. But he can be fully fit to compete without having the full preparation needed to actually win the overall. People were saying that if he doesn't have the preparation to actually win the whole race then he shouldn't race at all and that is what I'm opposing. If you are 100 % healthy and are in decent racing shape then you better well show up to the biggest competition of the year when you are the biggest star of the team. Simple as that.
JV is possibly the most valuable talent in cycling for GTs. It would be monumentally stupid to risk that asset if he's not fully capable to ride strongly enough to be safe. If he's strong enough to actually ride the Tour, how many JV riders will be dedicated to protecting his position in the pack although he's not racing for the win? It becomes a strategically practical matter when resources are divided to protect a non-winning plan. If JV comes to the pre-Tour decision that they don't have a podium finisher they may just treat it as a training race and fulfill their obligation to promoters: that would be a situation that a less than optimally prepared Jonas could race safely. Exposing him to crashes makes no economic sense for him or JV.
They can promote his future racing and get as much promotional benefit without risking his career. In fact, if Jonas is too optimistic there better be an adult on the team management that would suggest the Vuelta is the focus.