ANALYSIS: Visma learns lesson from Tour defeat and changes strategy for Vingegaard at Vuelta a Espana 2025

Following his exploits at the Tour de France, Jonas Vingegaard now turns his attention to the 2025 Vuelta a España. With Tadej Pogacar stepping back from the race, the Danish powerhouse from Team Visma | Lease a Bike has assumed clear favouritism to take the overall victory. At 28, Vingegaard is hunting his third Grand Tour crown, adding to his back-to-back Tour de France titles in 2022 and 2023. While he faces a formidable roster — João Almeida, Juan Ayuso, Richard Carapaz, Giulio Ciccone, Egan Bernal, Enric Mas, among others — the consensus is that Vingegaard’s class sets him distinctly apart.

For Visma, this presents a golden opportunity to close out the 2025 season with two of cycling’s three Grand Tours, alongside Simon Yates’s recent Giro d’Italia triumph. Without the indomitable Pogacar — who outclassed Vingegaard at the Tour — the Dutch outfit will carry the weight of expectation as clear favourites from 23 August to 14 September, the duration of the Vuelta.

To sharpen their chances, Visma have made a strategic tweak: appointing Jesper Morkov as sporting director for the Vuelta, replacing Grischa Niermann, who oversaw their Tour de France campaign. Morkov’s Danish roots and proven rapport with Vingegaard are expected to foster clearer communication and tighter race-day coordination.

Brian Holm, former pro and Danish cycling analyst, suggests this change signals a more “Denmark-aligned” tactical approach — something that was arguably lacking during the Tour. Indeed, Visma’s Tour strategy drew criticism from early on. Their aggressive attempts to soften Pogacar in the opening flat stages ultimately faltered, failing to sap the Slovenian’s formidable strength.

The decisive moment came on Hautacam. Isolated and without support, Vingegaard struggled on the final climb as Pogacar unleashed a devastating attack more than 12 kilometres from the summit, gaining over two minutes and effectively sealing the race. Despite a valiant assist from Jhonatan Narváez earlier on, Vingegaard’s isolation left him exposed.

Further confusion reigned during the Alps. Visma’s tactics seemed muddled, particularly when Matteo Jorgenson — riding in support — joined a breakaway on the Col de la Loze, only to find himself unable to aid Vingegaard’s cause in the crucial moments. These missteps helped Pogacar secure a comfortable fourth Tour victory, even as signs of fatigue crept in during the closing mountain stages.

Had Visma’s strategy been sharper, the final week might have been far more gruelling for the world champion.

Looking ahead to the Vuelta, this reorganisation — with Morkov at the helm — could prove decisive. The roles will be reversed compared to the UAE Team Emirates setup: Vingegaard will lead Visma as the undisputed captain, while Almeida and Ayuso will share co-leadership duties for the Emirati team, both primed to challenge for the red jersey.

The 2025 Vuelta promises to be a compelling battle, but all eyes will be on Vingegaard and how well this new dynamic propels him toward Grand Tour glory once more.