“If Jonas told the guy that it bothered him and the guy carried on…” – Rival backs Jonas Vingegaard as fan culture debate grows after Calpe training crash
Cycling
Jonas Vingegaard’s training crash in Spain has reignited an uncomfortable conversation inside professional cycling, one that goes beyond the fall itself and into how elite riders are increasingly approached while preparing on open roads. While Team Visma | Lease a Bike confirmed the Dane escaped without serious injury, the circumstances of the incident have sharpened scrutiny on fan behaviour in popular winter training hubs such as Calpe.
The crash occurred during a training ride in southern Spain, where Vingegaard was reportedly followed closely by an amateur rider. Visma later issued a public call for cyclists to give professionals space while training, warning that well-intentioned behaviour can quickly become dangerous when riders are pushing limits at speed.
That message has been echoed from within the peloton. Speaking to RMC Sport, Groupama - FDJ United rider Paul Penhoet said he fully understood Vingegaard’s frustration if boundaries were ignored. “If Jonas told the guy that it bothered him and the guy carried on, that can be really irritating,” Penhoet said.
Penhoet’s comments reflect a broader reality faced by many professionals during winter camps in Spain, where the sheer number of riders on the road has changed how training is experienced and how easily situations can escalate.
“The road belongs to everyone, but we are working”
Penhoet explained that encounters with amateurs are inevitable, particularly when riders are training in groups where the pace is high. “When we’re in a group, it goes faster, so there tend to be fewer people,” he said. “But for those who come here on individual training camps, there are more people who try to stay with them, especially when it’s big names.”
While stressing that most amateurs behave respectfully, Penhoet underlined the importance of recognising that professional riders are working. “The road belongs to everyone, but it’s important that people understand we are training and that this also needs to be respected,” he said, adding that there is no issue as long as riders are not put in danger.
He also suggested that simple communication can often prevent problems. “Why not ask us if it bothers us or not if they stay with us?” Penhoet said.
Training alone and the need for space
When riding solo, Penhoet said the dynamic changes but remains largely respectful. “Some try to stay behind me, others sometimes come and talk to me, but where I train it’s very respectful,” he said. “From that point, there’s no problem.”
However, he acknowledged that structured training requires focus. “When we start doing efforts, we still like to be a bit in our bubble and alone,” he said, noting that situations depend heavily on individual behaviour rather than intent.
That distinction sits at the heart of the Vingegaard incident, where frustration reportedly arose after a request for space was not respected.
Cycling motorways and social media pressure
Describing the roads of southern Spain at this time of year, Penhoet painted a picture of near constant congestion. “You rarely go five minutes without crossing another bike,” he said, pointing to the mix of professionals, amateur groups, and organised training camps that now dominate the region.
Routes around Calpe in particular have become what Penhoet described as “cycling motorways,” especially at weekends. Groupama–FDJ United have based themselves further north near Denia in search of quieter roads, though even there, the density of riders is rising.
Penhoet also pointed to social media platforms such as Strava as a factor in changing behaviour. “Strava has become a social network in its own right, with photos and descriptions,” he said. While he acknowledged that amateurs are often proud to have ridden with professionals, he noted that the sport’s biggest names are far more likely to feel the pressure of constant attention.
In that context, Vingegaard’s crash has become emblematic of a wider issue rather than an isolated mishap, one where respect, communication, and restraint increasingly determine whether shared roads remain safe for everyone.
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.
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- 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
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
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