Responding to Netcompany Ineos talk, Vingegaard sends clear career message

The question has become more relevant in recent days because of the changing landscape at Netcompany Ineos. The arrival of Danish tech company Netcompany as a major backer has immediately sparked discussion about whether the British structure could one day try to attract Denmark’s biggest Grand Tour rider.

Geraint Thomas, now part of the team’s management structure, has already played down direct talk of Vingegaard, pointing out that the Dane remains under contract with Visma. At the same time, Thomas made no secret of the team’s ambition to return to the very top of the sport, with Grand Tour winning talent once again central to its recruitment thinking.

Vingegaard, however, gave little encouragement to the idea that he could become part of that project.

Asked on the Giro d’Italia rest day press conference whether he could imagine spending the rest of his career with his current team, Vingegaard said he does not see himself moving elsewhere.

“This year is my eighth year as a pro,” the Dane said. “I also don’t see myself riding until I’m 35. I’m turning 30, so that’s actually not in so many years. I would also say that I don’t see myself changing team. To add to that, I see myself finishing my career in this team.”

It was the strongest answer yet from Vingegaard on his long term future. While he has often spoken about taking his career year by year, this time he went further by directly linking the end of his racing life to Visma.

That does not mean he is thinking about retirement immediately. Vingegaard was also asked whether winning the Giro, and therefore completing a full set of Grand Tour victories, could be the perfect moment to stop. He dismissed the suggestion.

“I’ve said in the last few years that I’ll take it year by year,” he said. “That’s what I’ve done at least since my crash in 2024, and at this moment I don’t see myself retiring. If I still enjoy it, then I will keep riding."

The Giro remains his most immediate goal. Victory in Italy would add the one Grand Tour still missing from his palmarès, but Vingegaard also hinted that there are still other targets left for him beyond the three week races.

“Obviously this would be a big goal for me, winning here in the Giro,” he said. “But I also haven’t won all the one week stage races, which would be nice to win. I’ve won a few of them, so that’s also nice, but there are still some big races for me to try to win.”

This year’s World Championships in Montréal could still become part of that broader picture., though Vingegaard was careful not to make any commitment. Asked about Michael Mørkøv’s comments that he could ride the Worlds later this year, the Dane said the decision would only come after his two Grand Tour block.

“No, that’s a bit early,” Vingegaard said. “It’s still four months on the horizon, so I have no answer whether I’m doing it or not. I’ve said all the time that now I’m doing the Giro and the Tour. That’s my priority now. After the Tour I will see how I feel, and then I will make a decision on what to do.”