Jonas Vingegaard: Risking It All for Cycling Glory
It's a new year, and for cycling enthusiasts, that means the excitement of the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France is just around the corner! Jonas Vingegaard, a top contender, is feeling optimistic about his chances. He's shaking things up, and it seems to be paying off.
"We changed the programme and it’s something I’m really motivated by," he says. "Personally, I really needed the change."
He continues, "By repeating what you do every year, you get into the same roll and do the same every year. It’s not like I’m not motivated, but it’s more like sometimes you also need something new to increase your motivation again. I feel myself that I have a new energy I haven’t had for a few years."
After finishing second in the Tour de France twice, Vingegaard isn't worried that focusing on the Giro first will hurt his chances in the Tour. The team's data backs this up: "The two times I’ve done the Vuelta after the Tour, I haven’t been worse, I’ve even been a bit better power-wise. We don’t believe it’s a disadvantage for me."
He acknowledges the challenge ahead, stating, "Two Grand Tours will be very demanding," which is why his calendar is relatively "light," including only the UAE Tour and Volta a Catalunya in addition to the two Grand Tours.
Simon Yates' Retirement and the Shadow of Burnout
But here's where it gets controversial...Vingegaard is also thinking about burnout, especially after Simon Yates, the defending Giro d'Italia champion, unexpectedly retired. Yates's decision highlights the immense pressure and demands of professional cycling.
"It’s a very big loss for us, it’s very unfortunate we lose him now," Vingegaard says. "He was going to play a very important role in the Tour. But I also have a lot of respect for his decision. I think it doesn’t come from nothing: he lost his motivation and the sport is very hard to be in, very demanding."
He adds, "Sometimes I’ve also been close to burning out. It is tough with all the altitude camps and everything, I know his programme from last year so I understand that it was very hard for him. That he makes this decision, I have a lot of respect for him when he feels it’s enough and he’s going to stop."
When asked about his closest calls with burnout, Vingegaard revealed, "We push ourselves to the limit with all the altitude camps, with everything. You always need to be ready for a race and go there to win it. It’s not like in the past, you come there to get in shape."
He credits his wife for helping him stay grounded: "It’s just about listening to who I am as a person and what I need. And I’ve said it many times, but it’s something my wife really helps me with: to get me to feel what I need and how I feel about it."
The World Championships and Future Goals
Vingegaard is also aware of the potential challenges of the World Championships road race in Montreal, even though the course suits him. He hopes people will understand if he needs a break after the Tour, referencing criticism he received for skipping last year's event in Rwanda.
"The times I’ve said no to the Worlds are for a reason, not because I don’t want to … I showed in the Europeans last year when enough is enough," alluding to his DNF there.
On the Cusp of History
Vingegaard has never raced the Giro d’Italia in his career. If he achieves the grand tour holy trinity, he would follow Chris Froome, Vincenzo Nibali and his “big idol” Alberto Contador into the sport’s annals.
"I really liked watching Contador, especially the way he raced: he was not afraid of attacking and cracking," he reflects.
He is not driven by being the first of his generation to achieve the full house.
"I think we all know Tadej [Pogačar] will do it sooner or later, I guess," he says. "It’s more about being able to win all three of them. It would be a dream for me, an incredible achievement," he says. Only seven men in history have done it.
Team Changes and the Road Ahead
And this is the part most people miss...The Visma-Lease a Bike squad is also undergoing significant changes, with nine new signings for the 2026 season, including Bruno Armirail, Owain Doull, and Davide Piganzoli. There have also been departures, including Dylan van Baarle, Cian Uijtdebroeks, Tiesj Benoot, and Olav Kooij.
"I know there’s been a lot of writing in the media that we haven’t done well in the transfers, but I was also not the biggest talent [or] the first in line to get a WorldTour contract," Vingegaard says.
"I think the signings they made are pretty good. It’s some of the [sport’s] big talents. I think Davide will be a very good climber and the same with Louis [Barré]. We will have some good climbing power."
What do you think? Do you believe Vingegaard's approach is the right one? Do you think the pressure on cyclists is too intense? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
