'Don’t throw stones' - Jonas Vingegaard responds to Almeida criticism
Jonas Vingegaard has responded to criticism from João Almeida after the Portuguese rider questioned his withdrawal from the UAE Tour earlier this season. Almeida suggested the Danish rider and his team sometimes exaggerate setbacks, comments that quickly circulated through the peloton. Vingegaard has now responded to those comments during Paris-Nice.
The discussion began after Vingegaard decided not to start the UAE Tour in February following a crash and an illness in the lead up to the race. The Visma | Lease a Bike rider pulled out some time before the event began, opting to recover rather than race while not fully fit.
During the Volta ao Algarve, Almeida was asked by Feltet about the situation and did not hide his opinion.
“I think normally Jonas and his team tend to exaggerate things a little. I think it’s normal to get sick or have a small crash, and I don’t think it has had a big impact on the preparation,” the Portuguese rider from UAE Team Emirates-XRG said.
Almeida also argued that waiting for ideal conditions can backfire for professional riders.
“If you always try to make things perfect, you end up never racing,” he added, suggesting that Vingegaard could probably have started the race despite the setback.
The remarks drew attention as both riders are expected to play a key role in this year’s Giro d’Italia. Vingegaard is set to combine the Italian Grand Tour with the Tour de France in July, while Almeida has been freed from supporting Tadej Pogačar this season and is expected to target both the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España as UAE's leader.
Weeks later, Almeida found himself in a similar situation. The Portuguese had been set to start Paris-Nice following a second place at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana and a third place at the Volta ao Algarve. However, just a few days before the race he also withdrew after falling ill.
Speaking at Paris-Nice, Vingegaard was asked about Almeida’s earlier comments.
“You always try to make things perfect. But now the same applies the other way around. So you shouldn’t throw stones when you live in a glass house,” he said to Feltet.
Pressed on whether he was referring to Almeida missing Paris-Nice, the 31-year-old Dane kept his answer short.
“Yes, actually.”
Vingegaard currently leads Paris-Nice after winning stage four in brutal weather conditions, holding a 41 second advantage in the general classification over his closest rival, Daniel Felipe Martínez of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe.
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