Further setback for Visma as Strand Hagenes and Nordhagen leave the Dauphiné
After losing Wout van Aert, Team Visma | Lease a Bike have suffered another setback at the Critérium du Dauphiné. Per Strand Hagenes and Jørgen Nordhagen have both been forced to abandon the race due to illness, reducing the Dutch team to four riders.
Their withdrawals represent another blow for the team, particularly as both Strand Hagenes and Nordhagen remain in contention for a place in the Tour de France squad built around Jonas Vingegaard. The Danish leader is expected to renew his rivalry with Tadej Pogačar in July.
The withdrawals of both riders are particularly notable. Nordhagen finished 26th on Friday’s stage to Crest Voland, crossing the line shortly behind the main general classification contenders, while Strand Hagenes had also shown strong form by making it into the breakaway.
Visma had already been dealing with the absence of Christophe Laporte for the Tour de France, while uncertainty also surrounds Wout van Aert’s elbow injury. The Belgian left the Dauphiné on Friday after experiencing renewed discomfort and is on his way to Belgium for further medical examinations.
“The wound is not healing,” team director Maarten Wynants told Sporza. “We do not really understand why it has suddenly become worse than it was earlier this week. He will now return to Belgium, where further medical tests will be carried out in hospital.”
Alongside Vingegaard, Sepp Kuss, Matteo Jorgenson, Victor Campenaerts, Bruno Armirail and Edoardo Affini appear to be strong candidates for Visma’s Tour de France squad, with a fully fit Van Aert also expected to be included.
That would leave just one place available. Strand Hagenes and Nordhagen could both be considered for the final spot, although Wilco Kelderman and Ben Tulett are also in contention. If Visma decide to prioritise another climber, successful Giro d’Italia riders Davide Piganzoli and Bart Lemmen could emerge as alternative options.
The two Visma riders are not the first members of the Dauphiné peloton to be affected by illness. Iván Romeo and Jefferson Cepeda, both of Movistar, as well as Bahrain Victorious rider Matej Mohorič, had already been forced to abandon the race for the same reason.
Cofidis were also reduced to five riders ahead of Saturday’s stage after Louis Rouland and Emanuel Buchmann woke up feeling unwell and were unable to continue.
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