Danish analysts criticise Jonas Vingegaard and Visma | Lease a Bike: 'Part of me says "shut up"'

Visma | Lease a Bike announced Monday that Jonas Vingegaard will no longer be competing in 2026, which was, of course, big news in Denmark. The rider broke his collarbone during the Tour de France and has not recovered sufficiently to prepare for new goals this season.

"After a long and intense racing season, a recovery period was already planned following the Tour de France. Due to my collarbone injury, the start of my training has been delayed, and it won't be possible for me to return to my peak level in the coming period. "The focus is therefore on optimal preparation for the goals of the 2027 season," Vingegaard explained.

Bjarne Riis, the 1996 Tour winner, responded to the news in Ekstra Bladet . “I’m just as disappointed as many other fans. I think it’s way too soon. I don’t think he can blame it on his collarbone. There are thousands of people who have broken their collarbones before him,” said the former CSC team manager.

"We saw it coming. I think it’s concerning for his future. I have to admit that. Personally, I’m afraid he doesn’t have the motivation to reach the level needed to compete," he analyzes. "I know he’s won a lot this year. We shouldn’t forget that it’s Vingegaard, and he’s exceptionally talented, so even if he’s not in top form, he can still win bike races when Pogacar isn’t there.”

On Feltet , Brian Holm, another former rider and team director, was asked for his take on Vingegaard’s retirement in 2026. He, too, is skeptical of the collarbone explanation. “He needs a break. I don’t buy that other story. It sounds good to say it’s because of an injury—that’s what I’d say, too. He’s had a grueling season, and he needs a break and time for the things that matter to him.”

"He doesn't think like 99% of cyclists, and he does things his own way. Jonas is among the absolute best, and although part of me wants to criticize him, another part says, 'Shut up,'" Holm tells himself. “He’s won the Tour twice; I should be happy just to keep up and make it to the finish. So who am I to criticize him?”

"He's won the Tour de France twice, and we haven't. So we have to be careful about criticizing him. He has a different mindset than the rest of us mere mortals. Most of us have competed in the World Championships many times, even though we might not have been sure we’d make it to the finish. He doesn’t think that way. He doesn’t come to a race to play a supporting role,” he says, reading Vingegaard’s mind.