Jørgen Nordhagen emerges as Vingegaard’s successor, whether he likes it or not

Among those quietly stepping forward is Jørgen Nordhagen. At 21, the Norwegian is still developing, but his trajectory has begun to attract internal confidence. His progress has been steady rather than explosive, something he sees as a strength.

“It’s been a really good start to the season,” Nordhagen said ahead of O Gran Camiño to Marca. “I’ve had some solid races and, more importantly, consistent training. That makes a big difference. I feel like I’ve taken a step forward.”

It is a simple point, but an important one. Last season never quite found its rhythm, interrupted early on, and that lack of continuity showed. This year, Nordhagen’s build up has been far more consistent, something that was particularly evident at the UAE Tour, where he was given leadership responsibility. He finished eighth overall and placed eighth and sixth in the two mountain stages.

A month later, his role shifted. At the Volta a Catalunya, he rode in support of Jonas Vingegaard, playing his part in the Dane’s overall victory.

This week at O Gran Camiño, his role shifts back to that of a leader, making it another test to see where he stands.

“It’s a race where I can try things a bit more,” Nordhagen said. “Of course, the team comes first, but if there’s a chance to go for a result, I want to take it. Even just being there, fighting with the stronger riders, that’s already important.”

With Nordhagen’s gradual breakthrough this season, comparisons with Jonas Vingegaard are inevitable, but not something he leans into.

“Jonas is a big inspiration,” he said. “I’ve seen how he works, how everything is done at the highest level. But I don’t think too much about comparisons. I have to focus on my own development.”

Asked about his role models more broadly, Nordhagen pointed back to his early years. “When I was younger, Alberto Contador was one of the best and my favourite. He was a huge inspiration,” he said. “Then you grow up, you start competing, and your own teammates and the big names in the team become references too. But it’s different when you’re actually with them at training camps.”

And although he brushes off comparisons to Vingegaard, the two share the same qualities. The mountains, particularly the longer climbs, are where he feels most at home, even if he knows that alone is no longer enough.

“You need to be a complete rider now,” he said. “The level is so high across the board. But climbing is where I feel strongest, especially on longer efforts.”

With a fourth place in the time trial, Nordhagen made a strong start at O Gran Camiño, a result he hadn’t quite expected himself.

“I’m extremely happy with my performance,” Nordhagen said on the team’s website. “I didn’t fully expect to deliver such a strong ride on this course, but I felt good. Of course, three riders were faster, but I can definitely be satisfied.”

And here too, the comparison with Vingegaard, who can be strong in time trials, is never far away, whether Nordhagen likes it or not.