Danish analysts remain critical: Visma riders ‘were more loyal when Vingegaard was on course to win the Tour’

Jonas Vingegaard enjoyed a stellar season, crowned by his victory in the Vuelta a España. The Tour de France, however, did not fall his way: Visma | Lease a Bike were once again defeated by UAE Team Emirates – XRG and Tadej Pogacar. Vingegaard’s wife previously voiced criticism of the Dutch team, and now Danish analysts are echoing her concerns.

Before this year’s Tour, Trine Marie Vingegaard was outspoken about her husband’s role within Visma | Lease a Bike. She believed the team failed to give him enough support, arguing that he should have been the sole priority. On the podcast Debat i Feltet, Christian Heide-Jørgensen shares that view. “We can debate the timing of what Trine said, whether it was the right moment. But she absolutely said nothing wrong.”

The Danish journalist believes the Vingegaard family still stand by those comments. “I get the impression that they believe what was said - at least from his wife. And Jonas Vingegaard probably agrees more or less, because he has never said that what she said in the interview was incorrect.” The interview sparked a sizeable controversy at the time, even prompting reactions from Grischa Niermann and Wout van Aert.

Yet journalist Frederik Ingemann finds no fault in Trine’s words. “If you truly believed you could win the Tour de France, you would put all your strength behind Vingegaard. The problem was that they communicated as if they believed he could win, but raced in a way that showed they didn’t believe they could move him off second place.”

According to Danish observers, the shortcomings were visible not only in the mountains but also on the flat stages, where Vingegaard needed protection to stay fresh and out of danger. “Three weeks is really long,” says former pro Brian Holm. “He spent too much time alone, taking wind and closing gaps. He constantly missed a supporter.”

Despite stage wins from Simon Yates and Wout van Aert, Holm sees a worrying trend. “The satellite riders they send are riding for their own chances to win stages instead of helping Vingegaard. They are not riding as if they think he can win the Tour de France.”

Ingemann notes that this used to be different. “Visma riders were more loyal when Jonas Vingegaard was on course to win the Tour. They often run into trouble because the sports directors have different opinions. So it’s more about poor management than disloyal teammates.”

Trine’s interview remains such a hot topic that Jonas Vingegaard himself has been forced to respond. The Dane understands her perspective and softens the tone slightly. “I know she supports me 100%, and she does everything to get me to my best,” he tells Ekstra Bladet. “She only wants the best for me.”

Trine also suggested that he is away from home too often - something Vingegaard recognises and is trying to improve. “Of course there are many training camps and altitude camps throughout the year, so it’s difficult for family life. But I’m still cycling and I haven’t had a burnout. The media have twisted it; that is apparently what they do. You’re wasting your time on something unimportant.”