Visma back Vingegaard amid Giro debate - 'They can think whatever they want'

The conversation has followed Vingegaard into Spain ahead of the Volta a Catalunya, where he returns to racing after his dominant display at Paris-Nice. Some experts have suggested that adding the Giro to his programme signals uncertainty about beating Tadej Pogačar in July. 

When that idea was put to him last weekend, the two-time Tour de France winner responded sharply, saying, “Then I would say they shouldn’t be experts.”

Jesper Mørkøv, speaking ahead of the start of Volta a Catalunya to Feltet, was just as dismissive when asked about the same narrative. “They can think whatever they want,” he said.

For Visma | Lease a Bike, the thinking behind the decision is straightforward. After several seasons defined by the rivalry with Pogačar, there is a feeling that doing the same thing year after year may not be enough.

“Our view is that it’s exciting to shake up his race programme a bit,” Mørkøv explained. “We’ve seen in recent years how strong Pogačar is, so it’s interesting to try something new. And it’s also interesting to see whether this approach can give him an extra level for the Tour de France that he may not have had before.”

Earlier, Vingegaard stated that the decision is also based on performance data from the past: “I’ve always noticed that my absolute power output is higher in a second Grand Tour.”

That search for improvement has already been visible this spring. Vingegaard’s win at Paris-Nice came with a level of control that underlined his form, even as Pogačar continues to raise the bar with performances like his recent victory at Milan-Sanremo.

The Giro also offers something extra. Vingegaard already has wins in the Tour de France and Vuelta a España, which puts him within reach of a rare achievement in the sport.

“At the same time, if Jonas can win the Giro d’Italia and complete it, then it is a very big race to win. So he would have won all three Grand Tours, and that would be really, really impressive on his CV,” Mørkøv said.

Before fully shifting his focus to the Giro, Vingegaard faces one final test in Catalunya. The race features a strong lineup, including Remco Evenepoel and João Almeida, providing a key benchmark ahead of his altitude training block as he completes his preparations for the start in Italy.