"Imagine a race without Jonas Vingegaard - Would be far less exciting" - Thijs Zonneveld argues Vuelta winner still underrated by fans

In an era defined by explosive talent and aggressive racing, Jonas Vingegaard has emerged as perhaps the most efficient and tactically disciplined Grand Tour rider of his generation. Yet despite back-to-back Tour de France victories and now a maiden Vuelta a Espana title, the Dane still doesn't command the fanfare that often surrounds his great rival, Tadej Pogacar.

“People say he’s not a showman,” said Dutch analyst and former professional rider Thijs Zonneveld this week on the In de Waaier podcast. “But imagine a race without Vingegaard. Grand Tours would be far less exciting.”

Zonneveld’s defence of the Team Visma | Lease a Bike leader comes in the wake of a Vuelta campaign that was anything but straightforward. Vingegaard ultimately came away with three stage wins and the overall victory, but the dominance wasn’t of the same magnitude fans have come to expect — and that, according to Zonneveld, is exactly what made it special. “This wasn’t a dominant Vingegaard. He wasn’t otherworldly – he was human. And that’s what made it so impressive.”

Zonneveld is convinced that the brutal 2025 Tour de France left lasting scars on the peloton — and Vingegaard was no exception. “Everyone who raced the Tour took a real hit,” he said. “Physically and mentally, it was tougher than in previous years. The early hilly stages were full gas from the gun. Every day was a war of attrition, even for the top names.”

The intense rivalry between Visma and UAE added another layer of pressure. “Already in week one, riders were complaining — and then the hardest part was still to come. You could see they were all drained. So to turn around and ride the Vuelta at that level? That’s extraordinary.”

Vingegaard’s Vuelta wasn’t won through sheer dominance, but through resilience, timing, and deep reserves of mental strength. Zonneveld emphasises that it’s exactly this kind of effort that should earn greater respect.

“He was under pressure often. He didn’t ride with the sense of invincibility he sometimes has in the Tour. That made his concentration and consistency all the more impressive. He just about held off a strong ride from Almeida — and that makes his victory even more meaningful.”

Zonneveld also points out the psychological strain of carrying expectations. “When you’re considered one of the very best stage racers, the only outcome that satisfies people is victory. If you feel you’re not at your peak, and still stay mentally locked in for three weeks, that’s a huge accomplishment.”

Part of why Vingegaard’s wins don’t always generate the same level of enthusiasm is that his style is less explosive, more measured — particularly when compared to the attacking flair of Pogacar. “Vingegaard isn’t a showman. He has to calculate. He’s not as mercurial as Pogacar, but that vulnerability actually makes him compelling. You see him make decisions under pressure, and that’s what keeps races alive.”

When fully prepared, Vingegaard’s level can be suffocatingly high — but when he's coming off a more turbulent schedule, as in this Vuelta, the gaps narrow. “Give him eight weeks to prepare and he becomes nearly untouchable. But when he’s carrying fatigue or hasn’t built specifically towards a race, you see just how close the competition really is. And still — he wins.”

Zonneveld’s central message is clear: Vingegaard’s consistency and racecraft deserve far more credit from the fanbase than they often receive. “He’s not always spectacular — but take him out of the equation, and Grand Tours become far less interesting. His presence forces others to be better. He’s changed the tactical shape of modern stage racing.”

In a time where flashiness often garners more attention than function, Vingegaard continues to win with calculation, composure, and near-constant presence at the sharp end of cycling’s biggest races. And for Zonneveld — and for any student of the sport — that is far from boring.