'His Visma team isn't strong enough' — Bjarne Riis urges Vingegaard to consider a move to Netcompany INEOS

INEOS Grenadiers have secured a landmark new sponsor with the arrival of Netcompany. The Danish technology giant will help the British team rediscover their place at the very top. Now Bjarne Riis believes the new setup could be equally attractive for Jonas Vingegaard — and the Danish ex-professional is openly advising his compatriot to consider a move.

The investment is reported to be 750 million Danish kroner over five years — approximately €100 million. The signal from the major IT company is clear: Netcompany INEOS, as the team will be known, intends to return to the absolute top of world cycling. The partnership also gives the team access to Netcompany's AI platforms.

Riis sees an opportunity for his fellow Dane, particularly given the Danish company now at the heart of the project. "Right now, this would be a dream team for Jonas. The best team he could go to if he wants to challenge Pogačar. I absolutely see a match," the former team manager told BT.

"Visma will probably not be happy about this, but there is no doubt. This new team has the people, the resources and the experience that are needed," said Riis, welcoming the Danish company's involvement. "This enables them to build an even stronger team around a potential Tour de France winner."

The company's CEO, André Rogaczewski, has already stated his ambition openly: winning the Tour de France. "Of course there is a certain challenge with Pogačar dominating the rankings. But that is exactly why you can have a strategy — just as Visma does with Jonas," Riis observed.

"If Jonas has the ambition to win the Tour, this team should catch his attention. That is how strong a team needs to be. I'm sorry to say it, but right now his Visma team isn't strong enough," he said bluntly. "If the team had the firepower that INEOS is now building, they could have challenged Pogačar."

"But in recent years they have mainly said goodbye to important helpers for Jonas." Riis therefore believes Visma | Lease a Bike should be worried. "I think so. It would show little ambition on Jonas's part if he didn't look at it. I'm not saying he will make the move — but he should think about it," the Dane concluded.