"A lot is still needed to grow from a good WorldTour climber to his level" - Visma's climbing gem Jørgen Nordhagen plays down comparisons to Jonas Vingegaard

Jørgen Nordhagen is considered one of the peloton's greatest talents. The Norwegian has the potential to become one of the best GC riders in the world. No wonder Visma | Lease a Bike didn't waste time to sign a contract with the talent, who has already become Junior World Champion at Cross-country skiing(!), when he was still only 17 years old.

In his first season as U23 rider, Nordhagen already proved his climbing capacities when he dominated on La Planche des Belles Filles at Tour Alsace, won GP Poggiana with a 30-kilometer solo and dominated general classification at Giro delle Regione Friuli.

Visma | Lease a Bike manager Grischa Niermann recently told WielerRevue that Nordhagen has the potential to grow to the level of Jonas Vingegaard. "Jørgen is much further than Jonas was at that age, but yes, you only find a Jonas once in a hundred years."  

"Jørgen has shown some nice things, but it is not yet possible to say whether he is a candidate to win a Grand Tour in the future. He is on the right track, but he is also not the type of Remco Evenepoel who we expect to excel in a San Sebastián in his first year."

Speaking to Norwegian VG, Nordhagen responded to Niermann's words. "It's cool and inspiring to hear that they have confidence and believe that I can be good at the top level. But there are many factors that play a role. Many people who were good at my age have struggled after a while."

Nordhagen, who rode for the development team of Team Visma | Lease a Bike last season, does not want to rush things himself either. "He is at an insane level," says Nordhagen. "A lot is still needed to grow from a good WorldTour climber to his level."