"I don’t feel Vingegaard is at 110 percent" - Danish expert sees reasoning for Visma's 'cautious' Vuelta tactics

With just six stages remaining in the 2025 Vuelta a Espana, Jonas Vingegaard leads the general classification — but not with the dominance many had expected from the two-time Tour de France winner.

While the Danish climber has secured two stage victories, his apparent reluctance to launch aggressive attacks has raised eyebrows. According to Danish cycling expert Christian Moberg, the explanation may be rooted in both physical form and tactical foresight.

“I still don’t feel Vingegaard is at 110 percent,” Moberg told TV 2 Sport. “There’s a slightly cautious tone to Visma’s approach, and I think that reflects where he is physically. He’s riding more controlled, more calculated.”

Vingegaard’s margin over João Almeida stands at just 48 seconds on the second rest day of the race — hardly the comfortable cushion that fans of the Dane might have hoped for. Almeida, riding for UAE Team Emirates - XRG, has looked increasingly confident, matching Vingegaard pedal stroke for pedal stroke during the second week of racing.

Despite the close time gap and Almeida's apparent growing form, Moberg believes Visma’s approach is strategic rather than reactive. He points to the broader picture: Vingegaard hasn’t yet been put under serious pressure — and when it has mattered, he has delivered.

That was evident on Stage 14, where Vingegaard narrowly outsprinted Almeida at the line, a result as symbolic as it was tactical. It served as a quiet reminder that, even without all guns blazing, the Dane remains in control. “He’s riding with his head,” Moberg noted. “He lets Almeida do the work, but still beats him when it counts. That kind of racing shows experience and confidence — even if he’s not at full capacity.”

Visma has notably allowed UAE to shoulder much of the workload in recent mountain stages. It’s a stark contrast to the Tour de France, where Vingegaard’s team often imposed their will from the front. At this Vuelta, however, they’ve played a more reactive hand — allowing others to dictate tempo, and choosing selective moments to show strength.

Moberg believes this restraint could be part of a long game. “We might see a more aggressive Vingegaard in the final week, especially if the legs come around. But right now, it makes sense not to burn matches unnecessarily.”

Almeida, though encouraged, has yet to drop Vingegaard on any climb. That fact alone may be enough to suggest that Visma’s ‘wait-and-see’ strategy is not one born of weakness, but rather of confidence in what’s to come.

As things stand, Vingegaard leads, not just on the road, but in the chess match that defines Grand Tour racing.