Jonas Vingegaard has confirmed that, although he and his team briefly considered pursuing the Giro d’Italia-Tour de France double in 2025, they have decided to prioritize the Tour de France instead. The two-time Tour champion revealed the decision during his team’s annual media day in La Nucia, Spain, explaining that while the Giro could serve as preparation for the Tour, there are too many uncontrollable variables that could impact his performance.
Vingegaard, who finished second in the 2024 Tour, had hoped to bounce back after a challenging season marred by a crash at the Itzulia Basque Country in April. Despite recovering in time for the Tour, where he claimed a stage win, he was unable to defeat arch-rival Tadej Pogačar, who became the first rider since Marco Pantani in 1998 to win both the Giro and the Tour in the same calendar year.
Reflecting on 2025, Vingegaard’s main goal remains regaining the yellow jersey in the Tour, with a potential third appearance in the Vuelta a España later in the season. “We were actually talking about going to the Giro,” Vingegaard said, but quickly acknowledged that the uncertainty surrounding the Giro’s route and conditions made it difficult to guarantee optimal preparation for the Tour. “There are a lot of things you can’t control yourself,” he explained. “If you go on a training camp, you can control every training session, and that’s probably better.”
Vingegaard will kick off his 2025 campaign with a packed schedule, including the Volta ao Algarve, Paris-Nice, and Volta Catalunya. When asked about the possibility of maintaining race-winning form across both the Giro and the Tour, Vingegaard noted the evolution of cycling, particularly in terms of nutrition and training. “Cycling is now different than it was 10 years ago,” he said. “Better nutrition and training allow us to perform at a higher level, but 10 years ago, riders couldn’t do a second Grand Tour without being too fatigued.”
Grischa Niermann, the team’s lead sports director, reinforced the decision to focus on the Tour. “Our main goal is the Tour de France,” he said. “The approach we’ve had recently is the optimal preparation for the Tour, and we believe Jonas at his absolute best form for the Tour does not include doing the Giro beforehand.”
As for the upcoming Tour, Vingegaard remains confident about his ability to take on Pogačar in what promises to be another epic showdown. “I do feel like I’ve improved compared to last year,” Vingegaard said. “I can get even better.” Despite Pogačar’s dominant performance in 2024, including an exceptional display in the high mountains, Vingegaard still believes that altitude may be where he can make the difference. “If you’d asked me two years ago, I’d have said the high mountains were my strength,” he said. “Last year, he was strong everywhere. But I still believe I can beat him.”
Vingegaard will be supported by a star-studded team at the 2025 Tour, including Sepp Kuss, Matteo Jorgenson, new signings Simon Yates and Victor Campenaerts, Christophe Laporte, and possibly either Wilco Kelderman or Steven Kruijswijk. “I believe it’s a very strong team – maybe stronger than it’s ever been before,” Vingegaard commented, citing the team’s ability to perform both uphill and on flat terrain.
Reflecting on last year’s Tour, Vingegaard admitted that even with a strong team, his preparation made it difficult to challenge for victory. “It would have been hard for me because of the preparation I had,” he said. “But it’s important to step up as a team, and I think we are doing that. I also need to take a step forward to be able to fight for the victory.”
Vingegaard’s decision to focus on the Tour in 2025 signals his unwavering commitment to reclaiming cycling’s most prestigious title.
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