After snubbing Copenhagen, Jonas Vingegaard's Vuelta win to be celebrated in home region of Denmark: "He will be presented with a new ‘honorary tile’ on the square"

Jonas Vingegaard may have declined a civic reception in Copenhagen after his Vuelta a Espana 2025 triumph, but the Danish champion will be celebrated after all — this time in his home region of Skive.

The municipality confirmed that the two-time Tour de France winner and freshly crowned Vuelta champion will be honoured on Friday afternoon in the town’s central square, where he will be presented with a third æresflise (honorary tile). The unveiling will take place outside Skive’s Old Town Hall, followed by tributes from mayor Peder Christian Kirkegaard and an autograph session for fans.

It marks a change of course from earlier this week, when the Danish Cycling Union (DCU) revealed that both Vingegaard and compatriot Mads Pedersen had turned down the opportunity for a grand reception in Copenhagen. Their decision prompted debate, with critics lamenting the lack of a national celebration after Denmark’s historic double in Spain — Vingegaard securing the red jersey overall, and Pedersen sprinting to the green.

DCU director Niels Bo Daugaard defended the riders, emphasising the importance of recovery after a draining three-week race. “We in the DCU tried all possible options, because like the Minister of Culture we wanted to celebrate Vingegaard’s triumph. But Jonas needs, above all, to come home and recover after a tough Vuelta, and we fully respect that,” he told Feltet.

Former professional Brian Holm also backed the pair, pointing out the relentless demands of elite racing. “They’ve been away from home for a month, under constant pressure. At some point you just want peace,” Holm said.

The compromise in Skive appears to strike that balance: a more intimate homecoming rather than the full pomp of Copenhagen’s City Hall. For Vingegaard, it will be the third time he receives such a tile in his honour, each marking one of his Grand Tour victories.

The celebrations begin at 2pm local time with a short press conference in the Old Town Hall before moving outside to the public square, where Denmark’s modern cycling icon will once again be feted by his local community.