Former teammate finds similarities between Lance Armstrong and Jonas Vingegaard: " A smart strategy, if you ask me"

Jonas Vingegaard clinched his first victory of the 2025 season on Sunday, winning the Volta ao Algarve with a commanding performance. However, his triumph was far from guaranteed until the final stage, where his exceptional time trial skills proved decisive in securing the overall title.

Vingegaard has increasingly established himself as a time trial specialist, with his dominant display in the discipline at the 2023 Tour de France playing a crucial role in his overall victory. His crushing margin of 1 minute 48 seconds over Tadej Pogacar on Stage 16’s time trial was a defining moment of the race, and one of the most empathetic victories anyone has ever taken over the current world champion.

Former professional cyclist Tom Danielson, who rode for Discovery Channel alongside Lance Armstrong in 2005, has drawn comparisons between the Danish rider and the seven-time Tour de France winner. Writing on X, Danielson shared his thoughts on Vingegaard’s impressive display in the Algarve time trial.

"It was great to see Vingegaard ride so strongly to win the time trial and take the overall classification," Danielson wrote.

He went on to compare Vingegaard’s time trial technique to Armstrong’s, noting key similarities in their approach.

"I have to say he looks like a miniature Lance Armstrong on the time trial bike with his position, body and style. His cadence also seemed excellent: quite high and adapting well to the terrain changes (and there were many!)."

Vingegaard’s victory in Portugal comes at a time when his main rival, Tadej Pogačar, is focusing on the spring classics rather than early-season stage races. Danielson believes that the Danish rider’s investment in refining his time trial abilities could be a key strategic advantage as the season progresses.

"This performance from Vingegaard in the time trial shows that – although he is far from 100 percent – he has put a lot of work into improving his time trial. A smart strategy, if you ask me. Especially on paper, since Tadej Pogacar is focusing on the classics in the first part of the season."