"If this was how it was going to be, I couldn’t be in it anymore" - Jonas Vingegaard almost walked away from Visma | Lease a Bike over winter
CyclingMonday, 13 July 2026 at 11:57
Jonas Vingegaard has revealed that he almost walked away from Visma | Lease a bike and professional cycling over winter after the 2025 season. However, after a conversation with the team's management, they struck a balance that's proved successful.
During the 2025 season, Vingegaard enjoyed some success but fell short in his Tour de France goal, once again finishing in second place behind Tadej Pogacar. His season did end on a high note, however, as he dominated the Vuelta a Espana to take a GC win.
But over winter, things came to the boil as Vingegaard requested a change to approach of the season. After talking to the team, they reached an agreement after realising that the Dane wasn't happy during the season.
“I said last year that if this was how it was going to be, I couldn’t be in it anymore,” Vingegaard told Danish broadcaster TV2 on Sunday.
“That’s also why we changed some things. I also think the team realised that this was how it was, and they could also tell from me that I wasn't happy last year. They accepted that we had to change something, and we did.”
Vingegaard on riders' schedules
When it comes to what specifically changed, Vingegaard suggested autonomy over his programme and race schedule as the major change. His 2026 season saw him take a new approach based around the Tour de France.
That meant a first Giro d'Italia for Vingegaard, seeing him complete the grand tour GC set as he comfortably took the pink jersey at the Giro d'Italia in May.
“I think that in general you should look at it more individually, what suits the individual rider best,” Vingegaard added.
“In order for cycling to become a sustainable sport again, it is probably more the direction to go that you create individual programmes for all riders. If it is hard to be away for such a long time, then you have to do something else, and that is what we have done for me this year.”
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Vingegaard encouraged by positive step
Vingegaard feels reinvigorated with more say in his positive step: “I’m much happier being a cyclist,” Vingegaard said. “We have taken a step in the right direction, but it is clear that it is only a step.”
Despite a fresh approach, he finds himself in a familiar place - trailing Tadej Pogacar but also clear of the rest of the chasing pack. At the first rest day, he finds himself 2:42 behind the Slovenian but isn't giving up the ghost.
“It may be that many people think so, but I don’t,” he added. “I have been behind in the Tour de France before and then won it anyway, and I still believe that it can be done. I intend to fight all the way to Paris for it.”
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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- Mistermaumau doesn't agree with Pogi, just imagine that !?!?!? Pogi is the best cyclist in the world and the GOAT. Many professional cyclists agree with him. But no, Mistermaumau's philosophy is right, only he knows how the cyclists should ride. It's just unbelievable!!!mus-musculuspeedypogigonzales13-07-2026
- Visma and Vingegaard are exactly where they wanted to be... almost 3 minutes behind the greatest cyclist of all time, who is in the best shape of his life and has a team three times stronger than Vingegaard's suggested autonomy. But, like I said, they are exactly where they want to be. LOL!!!!mus-musculuspeedypogigonzales13-07-2026
- Raúl Garcia Pierna not IvanAndy12313-07-2026
- Yeah sorry but if you think that watching a solo 40k GC mountain attack is more boring than a 200k flat stage with a 200 metre sprint at the end then you can only be an embittered, useless sprinter.Ayrton13-07-2026
- Slovenia is not even Balkan you twatAyrton13-07-2026
- Pogacar 1st Vindi 2nd Seixas 3rd. If Pogacar is doping they all are dopingcaptmike13-07-2026
- Bonjourerr Mouchebagerrr, So you arerr seyin pepol hu do noterrlike yourerr Pog arerr ageenst Balcons? I do noterr onderstund howerr you can survivre in zis plaice warerr money like Primozerr butt not ze Pog? You no, zey all go downerr in ze end, maybe err prepair for wen zer is nobodee for you to escargot overr, deliziooze.Mistermaumau13-07-2026
- That's literally what Girmay was saying. To each their own. The question put to him by the reporter was that sprints are boring. Learn to read.Pogboom13-07-2026
- Funny how you equate physical performance in sport (of a very small number of individuals in a small number of sports) with just about anything - Intelligence, morals, finances, geopolitics. Why don’t you move back instead of wasting your life in the West?Jumpyjohn13-07-2026
- Lets see after the Vuelta, am sure his future depends on what he can show.Jumpyjohn13-07-2026
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