Jonas Vingegaard

Jonas Vingegaard Rasmussen, often nicknamed “Vingo”, is a Danish professional cyclist born in 1996 who has rapidly risen to the pinnacle of the sport. Riding for Team Jumbo-Visma (rebranded as Visma - Lease a Bike), Vingegaard became a two-time Tour de France champion in 2022 and 2023, earning fame for his duels with rival Tadej Pogačar. His journey from working in a fish factory to dominating cycling’s biggest races has made him a national hero in Denmark and a prominent figure in international cycling.

Jonas Vingegaard grew up in the small town of Glyngøre in northern Denmark, where he was initially more interested in football than cycling. He caught the cycling bug in 2007 after watching a stage of the Tour of Denmark pass through his region, which inspired him to join a local cycling club. Despite a slight stature, Vingegaard showed promise as a junior rider. He progressed through Danish youth teams and eventually signed with the Continental team ColoQuick in 2016 at age 19. In his late teens, Vingegaard balanced training with work in a fish processing factory - rising before dawn to pack fish crates, a humble routine that toughened his resolve. His climbing talent soon became evident; in early 2018 during a training camp in Spain, the 21-year-old set a record for the fastest ascent of the Coll de Rates climb, beating times of established pros. This feat signaled the potential of the quiet Danish rider.

Vingegaard turned professional with Team Jumbo-Visma in 2019, quickly repaying the team’s faith by winning a stage of the Tour de Pologne - his first WorldTour victory. He continued to develop as a supporting rider and got his first Grand Tour experience at the 2020 Vuelta a España, helping teammate Primož Roglič secure the overall title. The true breakthrough came in 2021: Vingegaard won a mountain stage at the UAE Tour and the overall title at the Settimana Coppi e Bartali stage race, showcasing his all-around capabilities. He also placed second at the prestigious Itzulia Basque Country behind Roglič that spring. When Roglič crashed out of the 2021 Tour de France, Vingegaard seized the opportunity to lead Jumbo-Visma. In an eye-opening performance, he finished second overall in Paris behind Pogačar, even being the only rider to momentarily drop Pogačar in the mountains. This runner-up Tour finish marked the arrival of a new Grand Tour contender.

Jonas Vingegaard in the iconic maillot jaune on the podium of the 2023 Tour de France, after sealing his second consecutive title. Vingegaard’s Tour de France triumphs came in back-to-back fashion, in 2022 and 2023, and cemented his status as one of cycling’s elite stage racers. In the 2022 Tour de France, he waged an intense battle with defending champion Tadej Pogačar across the Alps and Pyrenees. Vingegaard took control of the race on the summit finishes, and a memorable display of sportsmanship came when he waited for Pogačar after a descent crash. He went on to claim the yellow jersey in Paris along with two stage wins and the polka-dot mountains jersey. This made him only the second Danish cyclist ever to win the Tour (after Bjarne Riis in 1996) and instantly a national sensation.

In 2023, Vingegaard successfully defended his Tour title in dominating style. The duel with Pogačar was razor-close until the final week, when Vingegaard delivered a stunning performance in the stage 16 individual time trial, putting 1 minute 38 seconds into Pogačar. The next day, he blew the race apart on the toughest Alpine stage, ultimately winning the 2023 Tour by 7 minutes 29 seconds - one of the largest margins in recent history.

While the Tour de France has defined Vingegaard’s career, he has also notched other significant victories. He excels in one-week stage races: in 2023 he won the Critérium du Dauphiné and Itzulia Basque Country, two elite WorldTour events, as part of his Tour buildup. He has proven dominant in early-season races as well, winning Spain’s O Gran Camiño tour twice and the prestigious Tirreno-Adriatico in 2024. During the 2023 Vuelta a España (Tour of Spain), Vingegaard took two stage wins and finished second overall, contributing to a rare sweep of the podium by his Jumbo-Visma team. In recognition of his stellar 2023 season (which included a Tour win, a Vuelta podium, and several stage race titles), Vingegaard was honoured with the Vélo d’Or award, given to the world’s best cyclist of the year. Despite rarely racing one-day Classics, his consistent stage race results and Grand Tour performances have made him one of the top-ranked riders in the world.

Vingegaard is known as a modest, family-oriented person off the bike. He met his partner, Trine Marie Hansen, in 2016 during his time with Team ColoQuick – Trine worked as a marketing manager for the team. The couple later married, and Trine has been a steady presence supporting Jonas through his career. They have two children: a daughter, Frida, born in 2020, and a son born in September 2024. The family resides in Glyngøre, the coastal village where Vingegaard grew up, keeping him grounded despite his fame. Interestingly, Jonas’s mother-in-law, Rosa Kildahl, is a popular TV personality in Denmark (known from The Great Bake Off), adding a touch of celebrity connection to his home life. Vingegaard often mentions how important his family’s support is - for instance, he famously calls Trine immediately after his race victories to share the moment, if she isn’t present. Known for being soft-spoken and humble, Vingegaard credits his partner and loved ones for giving him stability outside the racing spotlight.

Like many top cyclists, Jonas Vingegaard’s earnings have increased dramatically alongside his success. In his early Jumbo-Visma days, he was on a modest salary (reportedly around €50,000). After his breakout Tour podium in 2021 and especially his 2022 Tour de France win, his market value soared. By 2023, Vingegaard’s annual salary was estimated at €2.5 million, and a new deal saw his pay jump to about €4 million in 2024. This places him among the highest-paid riders in the peloton, reflecting his status as a Tour champion. In early 2023, he signed a long-term contract extension with Team Jumbo-Visma through 2028, locking in his future with the Dutch squad. This multi-year deal gave Vingegaard “peace of mind” financially and ensured he remains the centerpiece of the team’s Grand Tour ambitions.

• Two-time Tour de France champion (2022, 2023): Vingegaard is the first Dane to win cycling’s biggest race more than once, ending a 26-year wait since Bjarne Riis’s 1996 title.
• Vélo d’Or 2023: Awarded the Vélo d’Or (“Golden Bicycle”) as the world’s top cyclist of 2023, following his second Tour victory and consistent wins throughout the season.

As of mid-2025, Jonas Vingegaard remains at the peak of his powers and is looking to expand his legacy. After recovering from injuries that affected his 2024 spring and Tour de France campaign (finishing second behind Pogačar), he has his eyes set on reclaiming the Tour de France title in 2025 and continuing his friendly rivalry with Pogačar.