While Tadej Pogacar dazzled during the spring with a string of dominant wins, Jonas Vingegaard maintained a lower profile. As his rivals vie for glory in the Giro d’Italia, the Visma | Lease a Bike rider has broken his silence, expressing a strong ambition to claim his third Tour de France title. Speaking at a recent press conference attended by IDLProCycling.com, the 2023 runner-up shared that he’s more motivated than ever.
Vingegaard’s spring didn’t go to plan. A crash in Paris-Nice forced him out of the race with a concussion and a bruised hand. “I had to rest a lot,” said the Dane. “For the first few days, I napped every hour. Even a short ride on Monday left me nauseous and dizzy, and I had to go back to bed. Thankfully, things improved after about a week.”
Compared to last year, though, this season’s setbacks were less severe. “Paris-Nice was nothing compared to my crash at the Tour of the Basque Country in 2024,” he said. “That one hit me much harder, especially mentally. Missing Catalonia only fired me up more.”
Vingegaard admitted that the Paris-Nice crash was perhaps the “stupidest” he’s had, though its consequences were unexpectedly serious. He criticized the race’s medical response: “They treated the bleeding but didn’t even check for a concussion, despite my visible facial injuries. That should change.”
Now focused on the future, Vingegaard is training at altitude in Sierra Nevada. “We’ve adjusted a few things, like the cranks, and tested other new ideas,” he said, adding with a smile, “But some of it’s a secret.” Unlike some riders, Vingegaard thrives in altitude training. “I love the whole process of preparing for the Tour. Thinking about how to be better than ever is what drives me.”
He knows improvement is essential after Pogacar defeated him by over six minutes last year. “I need to be better than ever to win. It’s hard to compare seasons, but I feel like I’ve made a small step forward.”
The setbacks only fuel his determination. “I missed most of the spring, but that makes me even more eager. I’m completely focused on the Tour and the races ahead.” Before then, he’ll only compete in the Critérium du Dauphiné. Despite limited racing days, Vingegaard isn’t worried. “The sport has changed. During COVID, we saw high performance even after long breaks. So we’ll see how it plays out.”
Looking ahead to the Tour, he expects an intense first week. “There are tough stages right from the start. It’s going to be chaotic, and positioning will be crucial.” While Pogacar dominated in spring, Vingegaard isn’t focused on his rival. “What Pogacar did was amazing, but I’m focused on myself. Spring form doesn’t always carry into the Tour. I’ve improved every year, and I believe I can do even better this time.”
The Tour’s final stage will climb Montmartre instead of ending on the Champs-Élysées, a change Vingegaard is unsure about. “It worked during the Olympics with fewer riders, but with 150 in the peloton, it’ll likely be much more stressful than expected.”
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