Vingegaard reacts to fierce criticism from compatriot Pedersen: "Maybe that wasn't so smart"

Riding a criterium: it is a fun and often lucrative outing for a lot of pro riders. Yet, according to Mads Pedersen, it was "absolutely the last thing he wanted," as the Dane vehemently opposed the idea of a criterium. Jonas Vingegaard did compete in one in Japan and responded to his compatriot's criticism.

"It's a done deal. It's so terrible to see, because none of the riders even try to make it look like they're racing on a bike," Pedersen previously left no doubt about how he thinks about a criterium. "It is more important that they wear some kind of bicycle helmet with a top hat and a flap on it, in a sumo wrestler suit. That is what they are paid for," the Dane was referring to the criterium in Japan, in which Vingegaard also competed.

Fellow countryman Brian Holm offered some nuance. "It's a race organized to make cycling more popular in Japan. I think they put quite a bit of money into it," said the former rider, but Pedersen wanted no part of it. "I have turned down a few times. You should never say never, but it's absolutely the last thing I want."

So Vingegaard did compete and even crashed in Japan. The Dane was helped back on his way (by UAE!) and eventually managed to win. When Ekstra Bladet confronts the Visma star with compatriot Pedersen's words about that outing, Vingegaard's smile betrays that he has heard the words passed before.

However, he disagrees with the Lidl-Trek rider's words. "Obviously it's probably not the toughest cycling race there," Vingegaard is realistic. "But they are still races, and they are not always easy. I also did some races in Singapore, where I almost had to drop out."

"I also think there are a lot of people who ride them for the experience, if you can put it that way," said Vingegaard, who did the same himself and combined his trip to Japan with a family holiday. Also, the Dane says he wants to give something back to cycling, so for that he has no problem with a trip to Japan.

Still, it was not a thunderous performance by Vingegaard. "It was raining in Japan and it was a bit slippery, so I ended up crashing. So maybe that wasn't so smart," he is honest. "But I think it was a good experience. Both the cycling race and the whole trip to Japan."