Jonas Vingegaard will not be on the start line at the World Championships in Rwanda this September, choosing instead to focus his late-season efforts on the European Championships. The Danish Tour de France winner has just come off the grueling Vuelta a España, where he chased the overall title in an intense battle against teammate Primož Roglič and longtime rival Tadej Pogačar.
While the Worlds in Rwanda will mark a historic first on African soil, Vingegaard and his team have decided the timing and course profile do not align with his best preparation. After weeks of Grand Tour racing, recovery and controlled build-up are key, and the decision signals a strategic approach to extending form into the autumn without risking burnout.
The European Championships, meanwhile, offer both a prestigious title and another opportunity for fans to see Vingegaard clash with Pogačar. The Slovenian, who continues to light up the season with his aggressive style, is expected to target both the Worlds and Europeans. That means while their showdown on the streets of Kigali will not happen, the rivalry will resume soon after on European roads.
Vingegaard’s absence from Rwanda does not diminish his season’s impact. His back-to-back Tour de France titles, combined with consistent podium-level riding, have cemented his place among the sport’s very best. The European Championships will also provide Denmark with a strong chance at a medal, especially on terrain likely to favor Vingegaard’s climbing prowess.
Fans will no doubt regret missing a Vingegaard-Pogačar duel at cycling’s global showcase, but the promise of their renewed head-to-head in Europe keeps the rivalry alive. For Vingegaard, the decision reflects careful management of form, ensuring he can still deliver peak performances when it matters most.
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