"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
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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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- lol yeah. this is a good onemij12-11-2026
- Mads is the best: I didn’t even know there were rules in cyclocross. I just thought it was a matter of: ‘Go, three, two, one, ride.’ It’s like a street fight, a kind of underground brawl. It’s the MMA of cycling he gives the best quotes.mij12-11-2026
- he's too young. he's 23, so not really a fair call yet.mij12-11-2026
- and don't forget Pidcock's departure. maybe he will never win a GT, but he knows how to light up a race.mij12-11-2026
- Bingo...I was going to say a 12 year obsessed Pogi fan girlie ! Like she's chasing a teen boy band! All glossy eyed about tadej!frieders312-11-2026
- That stint in the Pink was so good. If memory serves he struggled with the champagne cuz he'd never been on the podium before. I feel like it gave him some self-belief, and yeah - then the move to Visma to be one of their lieutenants has really brought him to the best version of himself.wrsty12-11-2026
- So, you never really compared Paul Seixas with his main rival Isaac Del Toro why jump to Pogačar? They've (Paul & Isaac) raced together here and there, and they've both shared in wins and losses, I think they should be compared to each other, even with Vingegaard and Remco first before even touching Pogačar. From your writing it's like he's better than Vingegaard, Remco and Del Toro already that his main target is now Pogačar 🤔Sadick11-11-2026
- gee i hope its a minor injury. a great rider and ambassador for the sport. get well soon Lucinda.
Davide11-11-2026 - some of lidl-treks retention and recruiting has been puzzling in the mens and womens teams.Davide11-11-2026
- Yeah his ride at World's was unreal. Over 6 W/kg for over an hour and a half...he single handedly destroyed the break.DAS11-11-2026
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