Brains behind Simon Yates & Jonas Vingegaard's Grand Tour triumphs set for pay-rise at Visma: “Unfortunately, I didn’t negotiate a bonus into my contract”
Cycling
Jesper Morkov might not have included a bonus clause in his contract when he joined Team Visma | Lease a Bike at the start of 2025, but after guiding the team to two Grand Tour victories in a single season, that oversight could soon be corrected.
Visma have now won both Grand Tours in which Morkov has been on duty — first at the Giro d’Italia with Simon Yates, and now at the Vuelta a Espana with Jonas Vingegaard. Notably, the team had to settle for second at the Tour de France, where long-time DS Grischa Niermann called the shots. Morkov’s perfect record stands out — and raises questions about his growing influence in the team’s sporting strategy.
With two starts and two wins to his name, Morkov is quietly compiling one of the most impressive starts to a Grand Tour DS career in recent memory. Not bad for a first season at one of the world’s biggest cycling outfits.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t negotiate a bonus into my contract,” Morkov said with a smile to Feltet.dk after La Vuelta concluded. “But from what I hear, the bonus is that I’ll be travelling a bit more next year and will be doing all three Grand Tours.”
That would mark a significant step up in responsibility for the 37-year-old Dane, who joined Visma from Uno-X with ambitions of taking part in cycling’s biggest races — a goal he has already surpassed with remarkable efficiency. Now, with Tour de France duties seemingly on the horizon, Morkov is poised to become a central figure in Visma’s sporting brain trust heading into 2026.
Grand Plans from the Grand Tours
While Vingegaard’s overall triumph at the Vuelta adds yet another layer to his already glittering palmarès, it also highlights the tactical sharpness and cohesion within Visma’s backroom staff — a point Morkov was quick to acknowledge. “I joined the team to experience that level of professionalism and to get the chance to be part of the Grand Tours. Now I’ve done two – and won two – so I’d say that’s not too bad.”
Though the celebrations in Madrid were briefly interrupted by protestors on the final stage, the result was never in doubt. Vingegaard’s commanding ride, following a season disrupted by injuries, capped off an autumn resurgence for both rider and team.
Next Stop: The Tour?
Historically, Tour de France sporting duties for Visma have been helmed by stalwarts Grischa Niermann and Frans Maassen. But with Morkov’s rapid rise and flawless Grand Tour résumé, a reshuffling of the team car hierarchy could be in the cards for July. “We’ll see what happens, but it’s definitely something I’m incredibly proud of,” Morkov said. “It’s been a dream season. I’ve learned so much already.”
Given the significance of delivering two Grand Tour titles in his debut season — and the stability he’s brought to a team navigating injuries, leadership changes, and internal restructuring — Morkov would be justified in expecting some financial recognition. “I’m in this sport for the love of it, and because my heart beats for cycling – but I’m sure we’ll work something out,” he laughed.
And work something out they likely will. If his upward trajectory continues, Morkov could soon be not just one of the most promising sports directors in the peloton - but one of the most in-demand.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
claps 13visitors 13
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
Loading
2 Comments