"He is the only one who can follow Pogacar... He can win the World Championship" - Jonas Vingegaard urged by Matti Breschel to head to Rwanda in 2025
Cycling
Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar have had a Tour de France rivalry for the ages over the last few years. Although the Slovenian can be seen competing for victories across the year and in various different kinds of races, Vingegaard is more accustomed to exclusively stage races. Could that change in 2025 though?
The 2025 World Championships take place in Rwanda, with the African nation offering up an incredibly challenging course that includes almost 5,500 meters of climbing. As such, some of those more typically suited for one day races such as Mathieu van der Poel are unsure they'll even start. That leaves the 2024 Rainbow Jersey winner Pogacar as a clear favourite on the climber-friendly course. Following the appointment of Vingegaard's good friend Michael Morkov to Danish national coach and the potentially ideal parcours in Rwanda, two time World Championship podium finisher Matti Breschel believes the stars may be aligning for a Vingegaard Rainbow Jersey challenge.
"Jonas, get started!" says the former Vuelta a Espana stage winner, who finished runner up at the 2010 World Championships behind Thor Hushovd and third in 2008 as Alessandro Ballan took victory, via the 'Radio Tour' programme on Max. "He is the only one who can follow Pogacar. I'm Sorry! He can win the World Championship, but there aren't many others who can do that on that route. We are talking over 5,000 meters of altitude."
Breschel isn't the only notable voice in Danish cycling hoping to see Vingegaard in the nation's colours next year. "He couldn't ask for anything better. Yes, maybe he should ask them to pave the entire route. But it is difficult to see that Jonas Vingegaard can get a route that is much better," adds another Danish ex-pro, Michael Rasmussen for Ekstra Bladet.
Whether it happens or not remains to be seen, but the prospect of another chapter being written in Pogacar and Vingegaard's epic rivalry is one sure to excite cycling fans the world over.
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 5visitors 5
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- wtf dudemij07-11-2026
- big rival … ridiculous.Ketterechts07-11-2026
- It would be great if the World Champion's jersey could be rotated among McNulty, Simmons, and Jorgenson. They threaded the needle perfectly. If each hadn't done exactly what he did, exactly when he did it, the race would have gone to one of the more heralded superstars. That said, how nice that this humble and hardworking guy gets his moment in the sun.
MarkFour07-11-2026 - This is a really interesting idea, which, if well prepared could even be very successful. Very little money needs to be involved for a first season and any success could lead to rapid interest from sponsors.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Hmmm, you seem to have a very convenient black and white view of things. Perhaps you haven’t been around much to discover how complex problems can become over time with people who know how to control, manipulate (or worse) others so gradually or subtly that you arrive at an irresolvable situation before you realise. This is how many inconveniences get introduced to the young, naïve, passionate or “desperate”, knowing they are not armed, protected or strong enough to defend themselves once it’s too late. Why do you think omerta culture is so widespread, why do you think so many people continue to go through so many awful things in life that others can’t understand anyone getting into? Life may be far more jolly for you but you would do well to understand (or reflect more on) the real world to refrain from being so quick to criticise those in a hard spot that may have genuine reason for speaking out.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Seriously do you think when somebody gets into a serious accident, the ambulance is called by the hurt person?🤦 there is always a buddy system in place for a risky job. police , firefighters etc so that if someone gets hurt, the other call that in.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- 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
Loading
Riders who caught Tadej Pogačar after he attacked solo this season: Jonas Vingegaard (stage 11 Tour de France) End of the list. 📷: billy_lebelge
6 Comments