Teams & Riders Jonas Vingegaard thread: Love in Iberia

[Netserk]

Rest day interview: https://www.marca.com/ciclismo/vuel...oincidiera-pogacar-tendria-cinco-grandes.html

Jonas Vingegaard spoke exclusively to MARCA on the rest day in Vigo. The Dane, leader of the 2025 Vuelta a España, reviews the final week of racing, recalls his decisive attack on Valdezcaray, reflects on the pro-Palestinian protests, and makes no secret of his great ambition: to conquer all three Grand Tours.


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Q. How are you feeling in this Vuelta? What do you expect from the final week?

A. I feel very good so far. I’m very happy with my situation and with the team. We already have two stage wins and the red jersey with nearly 50 seconds’ advantage. I’m happy, the team’s happy. Of course, I’m glad today is a rest day, but the last week will be very tough. There will be five demanding days and we must be ready.


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Q. You’re a time trial specialist, but here at the Vuelta you’re at a similar level to Almeida (the Portuguese rider was seven seconds quicker in the first Tour time trial). Do you think the race will be decided there?

A. It might be decided in the time trial, because up to now it seems we’re very evenly matched. It could be the decisive stage.


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Q. How do you cope with the pressure of always being at the top and being seen as one of the big favourites?

A. To be honest, as I said before this race, I knew I was coming here as the big favourite. But I was coming straight from the Tour, where the pressure was enormous, and here I even feel a bit less pressure in comparison.


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Q. That attack on Valdezcaray, which wasn’t in the plan, now looks more important than we first thought. Could it decide the Vuelta?

A. Honestly, I’m glad I attacked that day. Right now it would decide the race. I felt really good that day, better than the week before. I hope to have those legs again in the coming days and be able to fight for more stage wins too.


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Q. It’s surprising you haven’t won more stages. Are you a bit tired after the Tour de France?

A. No, to be honest I haven’t felt tired, but I haven’t had the legs I had on Valdezcaray again. Even so, I’ve been strong enough to stay in the fight and I’ve taken seconds here and there. I hope it’s enough to win the Vuelta.


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Q. You’ve reflected on the pro-Palestinian protests. You said you respect the message, but does it scare you that you could be brought down?

A. Of course it’s frightening that they might do that in a bike race and put our lives in danger. I don’t think it’s the right way, but, as I said, I think they’re desperate. And yes, of course we’re all afraid of what could happen.


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Q. Have the riders in the peloton spoken about it?

A. Not too much. Yes, before and after the stage in Bilbao, because it was very intense there. The feeling was… how can I say it? More violent. I think if there’s no violence, then it’s not a problem. If they’re at the side of the road with their banners, it’s not a risk for the race or our safety. But as I said, they want to be heard, and I understand that.


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Q. Do you get tired of the constant comparison with Pogacar, or does it motivate you?

A. No, I think it motivates me, because he’s the best cyclist in the world right now. And if you want to win races, you have to beat Pogacar. That gives me more motivation to improve.


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Q. If you hadn’t come up against a rival like Pogacar, how many Grand Tours do you think you would have already won?

A. I’d probably have won five instead of two Grand Tours. Of course that would be nice, but at the same time it’s good to compete against Pogacar. He’s a good guy and it’s nice to have that kind of rivalry. I think this year and last year I could have won anyway. Maybe also in my first Grand Tour in 2021, but you never know. It’s hard to say.


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Q. Will you ride the European Championships in France?

A. Yes, that’s the plan. I’ve spoken with the national coach and it’s on my calendar.


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Q. If you win the Vuelta, are you thinking about riding the Giro d’Italia next season?

A. Right now I have two Tours de France, and if I win the Vuelta, I’d have two of the three Grand Tours. It would be very important for me to conquer all three, so yes, I’d like to go to the Giro.


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Q. Which one-day classic motivates you the most?

A. I think, of the one-day races, the one I like the most is Il Lombardia and also the World Championships. Those are the ones that motivate me most.


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Q. What do you do with your time away from cycling?

A. I’m quite a calm person, I like to relax at home. Of course with my family, but also with things related to cooking, baking bread or having a glass of wine.


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Q. Would you like to live in Spain in the future? Maybe in Málaga?

A. I live in Denmark and I want to stay there. But yes, I like Spain, I like Málaga, and also Galicia, the Basque Country, Navarra… the whole north.


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Q. When you look at the young riders, who do you think can reach your level and Pogacar’s?

A. Good question. I’d say Isaac del Toro, maybe. Or the Frenchman Paul Seixas (recent winner of the Tour de l’Avenir). He’s already very good, but I think he can go far.


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Q. Who was your childhood idol?

A. Alberto Contador. I liked his way of racing, not afraid to attack from far out, taking risks.


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Q. How many Grand Tours do you think you’ll end up winning?

A. I don’t know, good question. If I win here and then go to the Giro, it would be very important for me. I’m happy with what I’ve achieved already, but of course I’d like to win more, here and in Italy.


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Quickfire with Jonas Vingegaard

Favourite climb? I don’t really have one.

Best friend in cycling? Nathan Van Hooydonck.

Idol? Alberto Contador.

And outside cycling? My wife.

Hardest day on the bike? Last year, in the Tour de France, at Isola 2000.

A dream? To win all three Grand Tours.

A victory you’ll never forget? The 2023 Tour de France time trial (Passy–Combloux).

Another sport? Tennis.

A word that best defines you? Calm.



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Vingegaard prepares for the Andorra ‘Race of Champions’: “I hope there will be lots of people lining the streets”

The Vuelta leader and double Tour champion is already looking beyond the Spanish race. In the middle of the battle for the red jersey, the Dane gave a nod to the future with MARCA. Asked about the Andorra Cycling Masters, the innovative event to be held on 19 October in the Principality, he was clear: “I think it’s going to be a good event and I hope there will be lots of people in the streets.”

More than just a race, the event is billed as a global spectacle. First reported by MARCA in July and made official before the Cerler stage, it will bring together cycling’s biggest stars in a new, made-for-TV competitive format. Pogacar, Roglic, Isaac del Toro and Vingegaard himself headline a truly stellar line-up.

For Vingegaard, used to testing himself against Pogacar on the great climbs of the Tour, the Andorra Cycling Masters will be a different challenge: an urban circuit, explosive time trials, cameras backstage and a format designed to engage the wider public. “It will be something different from anything we’ve done before,” admitted the Scandinavian.

The Principality, already well established as a cycling hub thanks to its geography and its resident pros, will be the epicentre of this ground-breaking format. With backing from Andorran institutions, Unipublic as adviser, and partners such as IPG Mediabrands Entertainment and Wakai, the event aims to usher in a new era: cycling as a global sport-spectacle.

With international platforms such as DAZN involved in broadcasting, the event is about more than results: it seeks to bring fans into the backstage, offer a parallel docu-show and make cycling an immersive experience.

As Jonas put it: “Cycling needs new ideas, and this event is one of them. I’m sure the fans will really enjoy it.”

On 19 October, Andorra will become the centre of the cycling world. And Vingegaard will be there, ready once more to take on Pogacar, Roglic and Del Toro in a short, explosive, spectacle-driven format. A luxury appetiser that promises to mark a turning point in the way we understand the sport.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Underwhelming performance. He is fading, no doubt about that. I think he will win the Vuelta and next year, he will race the Giro. Probably he will not fight for the win in the Tour.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Underwhelming performance. He is fading, no doubt about that. I think he will win the Vuelta and next year, he will race the Giro. Probably he will not fight for the win in the Tour.

Maybe the Tour is taking its toll. Good for him that Almeida looked worse than him today.

 

[Cycling111]

Underwhelming performance. He is fading, no doubt about that. I think he will win the Vuelta and next year, he will race the Giro. Probably he will not fight for the win in the Tour.

However, Almeida seemed weaker today. It's disappointing that he didn't try.

He's decided to make his options a time trial, in which Almeida clearly beat him in 2023 and Bola del Mundo.

 

[YavorD]

However, Almeida seemed weaker today. It's disappointing that he didn't try.

He's decided to make his options a time trial, in which Almeida clearly beat him in 2023 and Bola del Mundo.

Maybe after the Tour he learned not to go too deep if he doesn't feel that strong?

 

[theyoungest]

He's not exactly looking strong. All it takes is a good day by Almeida in the TT and another very lacklustre performance by Vingegaard and the tables are turned. I think it's possible. Almeida isn't exactly flying either, but he doesn't have the Tour in his legs.

 

[Red Rick]

They'll both top 5 tomorrow

 

[Oldman]

Underwhelming performance. He is fading, no doubt about that. I think he will win the Vuelta and next year, he will race the Giro. Probably he will not fight for the win in the Tour.

The optimistic, survivor side of me thinks he's endured 2 seasons of accumulative injuries and tried to race through it. Given enough quality rest and training we may see his dominance again. He'll need that to face down the increasing group of 20 to 24 yo. riders showing the next generation. So will Pogacar.

 

[Red Rick]

Guys I for one I'm still absolutely livid he's not racing the WC after this. He would 100% do so well

 

[Monsi]

I think his season is over after this Vuelta. I will be surprised if he turns up for the ECRR. I'm also really skeptical of him attempting a Giro-Tour double (4 GTs in under a year) next year even though he said he might go for the Giro next year if he wins the Vuelta this year.

 

[Sciatic]

However, Almeida seemed weaker today. It's disappointing that he didn't try.

He's decided to make his options a time trial, in which Almeida clearly beat him in 2023 and Bola del Mundo.

I think today his body “decided” for him. Visma set him up perfectly but after that he could only follow.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Guys I for one I'm still absolutely livid he's not racing the WC after this. He would 100% do so well

Thats not the problem. The problem is he said he'd race, only to hold the federation hostage and briefly mentioning he wouldn't take part just before the Vuelta.

I think it was obvious from the get-go that he wouldn't stand a chance. Pogacar is the very best rider in history on such courses, and Jonas himself is very mediocre. so yeah.

 

[Divergence]

It was nice to see Vingo's head drop today

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Guys I for one I'm still absolutely livid he's not racing the WC after this. He would 100% do so well

He would be totally gassed after Tour-Vuelta double. Without Vuelta he could've done well there.

 

[theyoungest]

I think his season is over after this Vuelta. I will be surprised if he turns up for the ECRR. I'm also really skeptical of him attempting a Giro-Tour double (4 GTs in under a year) next year even though he said he might go for the Giro next year if he wins the Vuelta this year.

The Giro-Tour double is different because there you have the easy grand tour first ("easy" being the one where he's not up against Pogacar).

 

[CyclistAbi]

Likely fatigue from the Tour and raise of UAE play a substantial role, on why Jonas can't really ride away from the bunch, or to win more stages. His team is too much aligned to even try. Lets not forget UAE won half of the stages at this Vuelta, they leveled up substantially. Jonas i guess can be happy that mostly Almeida must do his thing alone, no real support from the team. For that i feel that he is strong enough, to not get dropped, responding to half assed attempts.

 

[theyoungest]

He's not exactly looking strong. All it takes is a good day by Almeida in the TT and another very lacklustre performance by Vingegaard and the tables are turned. I think it's possible. Almeida isn't exactly flying either, but he doesn't have the Tour in his legs.

Given that the TT is now only 12 k, obviously Almeida isn't going to close a 50 sec gap.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Vingegaard most likely has his Disney Paris tickets purchased already for Mickey Mouse to keep appearing here.

 

[RedheadDane]

So, according to Mørkøv, Visma bought three guys to Sp...err... Italy whose bikes Vingegaard can fit:
Zingle, Campenaerts, and of course Tulett.

 

[Netserk]

No matter how strong or weak he truly was today, or whatever direction the wind blew, he rode very poorly tactically today for the stage win. Almeida was surprisingly bad, but I guess Vingegaard just wants to minimise risk of overextending himself and ensure he wins the overall. Meh.

 

[Sciatic]

The optimistic, survivor side of me thinks he's endured 2 seasons of accumulative injuries and tried to race through it. Given enough quality rest and training we may see his dominance again. He'll need that to face down the increasing group of 20 to 24 yo. riders showing the next generation. So will Pogacar.

He was in fact dominant this year at the Tour-/if Pogacar wasn’t there we would have been talking about how alien Vingegaard’s performance was in putting able to drop everyone at will, and winning by over 5 minutes. It’s just that Pogacar has changed the reference frame for anyone else.

 

[Monsi]

The Giro-Tour double is different because there you have the easy grand tour first ("easy" being the one where he's not up against Pogacar).

It's not only the Giro-Tour double. It's that he's also had the Tour-Vuelta double the previous season, which would mean he'll tackle four Grand Tours in a span of a year.

 

[Oldman]

I think today his body “decided” for him. Visma set him up perfectly but after that he could only follow.

I think there were some serious headwinds on some of those switchbacks. A rare situation that penalized those that weren't tight in the lead pack. Saw some guys riding in the left side gutter trying to get shelter and wondered what was going on until I saw that finishing banner.

 

[Hugh Januss]

So, according to Mørkøv, Visma bought three guys to Sp...err... Italy whose bikes Vingegaard can fit:
Zingle, Campenaerts, and of course Tulett.

Two down.....

 

[Sciatic]

I think there were some serious headwinds on some of those switchbacks. A rare situation that penalized those that weren't tight in the lead pack. Saw some guys riding in the left side gutter trying to get shelter and wondered what was going on until I saw that finishing banner.

Good point, I noticed that too.