Dane hopes to end two-year Grand Tour drought at the Vuelta a España, with the Tour de France winner and Remco Evenepoel absent
Jonas Vingegaard’s latest bid to escape the constant shadow of Tadej Pogacar and reboot his status as a Grand Tour winner kicks off this Saturday at the Vuelta a España.
The Dane’s two-year Grand Tour drought – his last success was in the 2023 Tour de France – has been marked by a near-fatal crash and some occasionally unseemly jostling for leadership within his Visma–Lease a Bike team.
Key to Vingegaard’s Vuelta ambitions is the absence of a world-weary Pogacar, last spotted on his bike wearing a jersey sporting the messages “Do Not Disturb” and “No Photography” while watching his partner, Urska Zigart, race to second overall in the recent Tour de Romandie Féminin.
In the aftermath of his fourth Tour de France win, Pogacar has spoken openly about the end of his career. “I’m already counting down to retirement,” the 26-year-old said. “I began winning early, so I know there can also be seasons with fewer results. But I will probably ride a few more Tours [de France]. It’s the biggest race and I doubt the team will leave me out.”
