Vingegaard not motivated to complete Grand Tour slam before Pogačar: 'The hat-trick is a goal in itself'

Jonas Vingegaard 'wants to make history' by winning the Giro d'Italia, he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. The Visma | Lease a Bike Dane has given few interviews outside of racing in recent weeks, but Italy's famous pink sports paper secured a one-on-one ahead of the race start.

The interview covers Vingegaard's reasons for finally riding the Giro. After two Tour de France victories and the Vuelta a España title in 2025, he was ready for something new. "Winning the Giro is the challenge I was looking for," the Dane said.

Vingegaard, who goes to Italy with a formidable squad, does not deny that completing the Grand Tour hat-trick gives him extra motivation. "The Giro is a big goal, partly because my race programme has been almost the same every year for the last few years. And it means I make history."

Completing the treble before Tadej Pogacar manages it is not a motivating factor, however. "The hat-trick is a goal in itself — that's all. It's only a matter of time before Tadej does the same. He may well be the greatest of all time."

The Giro also feeds into Vingegaard's preparation for a rematch with Pogacar at the Tour de France. "I'm convinced this race will send me to the Tour in top shape. I've beaten Tadej before and I'm confident I can do it again."

Vingegaard is, by his own admission, genuinely fond of Italy — despite the fact he has barely raced there. He does not know the country particularly well, but he knows the parcours. "It will be unpredictable. You have to be ready every single day — attacks can come from anywhere."

"A dream come true," Vingegaard said at Wednesday's team presentation on Eurosport. He looked at ease ahead of his first Giro. "I'm really happy to be here. Hopefully I can ride a good race — I have certainly done everything I can to be in the best possible shape."

"I've had a good build-up," the Dane said, again underlining at the team presentation that winning is the reason he has come to Italy — but also that this is a race he has long wanted to ride. "I have watched it so many times. It is a special race. I have really been looking forward to this."