"He also knows that Pogačar is very good. But he also knows that he himself is okay" - Jumbo-Visma don't underestimate Vingegaard's chances ahead of Paris-Nice battle

Jumbo-Visma have bigger goals in mind, but as Jonas Vingegaard began his season today at Gran Camino, the management has talked about the Dane's feelings and expectations coming into the season.

“It's a very tough race. I am personally very much looking forward to it, especially with this team," team DS Robert Wagner told Wielerflits. "Jonas is in good shape, conditionally. So in that respect all conditions are correct. Of course there are other factors that can decide a game differently, but we have our tactical plan ready. In fact, everyone has a serving or helping role, in function of Jonas.”

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The race in Galicia presents quite a lot of tough terrain where Vingegaard will be able to perfectly test his form. The steep ascents and final time-trial will be a gauge to how well the Dane's training over the winter has been, and will also allow him opportunities to win early in the year as he did in 2022 with the Drome Classic.

“We will certainly not underestimate anyone here, but we will also take our responsibility. And then Jonas himself has to go wild somewhere. We have had good experiences from the past. He says himself that he might need a day to get through it. We will see that," the former pro continued.

“We are going to give full throttle here. As a team we obviously have main goals and O Gran Camiño is not one of them, but we will try to win a stage here - hopefully several - and the final classification. And we will do everything for Jonas to get that last bit better towards Paris-Nice.”

Paris-Nice will be the first goal of Vingegaard's season. There, he will go head-to-head against Tadej Pogacar. Although the big battle is reserved for the summer, the duo will likely want to play psychological games against each other. The mountainous course will allow both to show their best level now in the spring.

Last year Pogacar won Tirreno-Adriatico in front of the Dane. The Slovenian has changed his plans and is focusing on Paris-Nice after a brilliant start to the season with several victories. Before he aims at the spring classics including Milano-Sanremo and the Tour des Flandres, he may want to directly beat the Jumbo-Visma rider with the possibility of regaining some important confidence.

“UAE Emirates has their plan and we have our plan. I don't think Jonas is someone who reads everything on the internet, but he doesn't live under a rock. He also knows that Pogačar is very good. But he also knows that he himself is okay. And here he will also test himself for the first time this year," Jumbo's DS added.

"Jonas has had a very good altitude training, he is very well prepared. And hopefully we're going to dot the i's and cross the t's here. If you want to shine in Paris-Nice and be 100%, you have to be 98% here already," Wagner concluded.