"He can become world champion" - Jonas Vingegaard set for vaccination conversation with Danish coach ahead of rumoured World Championship debut

Could Jonas Vingegaard be set for a long-awaited World Championship debut later this year in Africa? According to the Danish national coach Michael Morkov, Vingegaard is set for a vaccination conversation ahead of any potential trips to Rwanda.

"I expect to get hold of him here in January, when it makes sense in relation to their training camp and season planning," an optimistic Morkov tells Ekstra Bladet, certain that if Vingegaard were to fight for the Rainbow Jersey in 2025, the Team Visma | Lease a Bike leader would be more than capable of winning. "I hope that Jonas will be available for the World Championships in Rwanda, because it is a route that suits him very well, and he is one of the world's best cyclists. He can become world champion."

Given concerns over potential concerns such as Malaria, Yellow Fever and other such viruses in Rwanda, this year's World Championships are being prepared for earlier than ever across the peloton and for Morkov and the Danes, that is no different. "I need to talk to Jonas and the other riders about the upcoming season. Right now there is a long time until the World Championships in September, but next week I need to find out what vaccinations are required to get there, so the riders have the opportunity to get it under control at the least disruptive time in their season," explains the former leadout supremo.

"Because it's a bit unusual, I'll also be talking about the World Championships with the riders earlier than usual," Morkov adds. "We all have to be vaccinated to get down there, and we know there can be side effects with vaccinations. The riders have a busy racing schedule where you don't want to risk being challenged by a vaccination, so I try to be on top of that."

"For me, the biggest goal is to develop cycling and the young riders, support the professionals and have a strong national team for the World Championships, and it is right that I and all other Danes who follow cycling hope that we can get Jonas to the World Championships, because he has the potential to go all the way," Morkov concludes.