Is Jonas Vingegaard heading to Liege–Bastogne–Liege to race Pogacar? “If he races, it is to compete for the win”
Cycling
Jonas Vingegaard’s 2025 season has yet to gather any momentum.
After suffering a concussion and abandoning Paris–Nice last month, the two-time
Tour de France winner has remained absent from racing, missing his planned
return at the Volta a Catalunya.
That race, ultimately won by Primoz Roglic, would have
provided a valuable indicator of form ahead of the summer, but instead, Team
Visma | Lease a Bike are recalibrating Vingegaard’s build-up to his biggest
goal: the Tour de France.
So when will we see the Danish champion in action again? And
more intriguingly, when could the cycling world be treated to another
head-to-head clash between Vingegaard and his great rival, Tadej Pogacar?
For now, the answers remain fluid. Speaking to Wielerflits,
Visma’s head of racing Grischa Niermann confirmed that Vingegaard’s recovery is
progressing positively, but emphasised that everything remains subordinate to
Tour de France preparation.
“We would have liked to have Jonas at the start [in
Catalunya], of course. That was not possible, but things are definitely going
in the right direction for him,” said Niermann. “It is true that we are now
looking at what is possible for him. That depends on when Jonas really feels
completely fit again. And whether we can then fit an extra race into his
program. But it goes without saying that preparing for the Tour has absolute
priority for us.”
There’s a sense of caution, and realism, in Niermann’s
comments. Unlike some of his rivals who have already banked early-season race
days, Vingegaard’s return will not be rushed. Visma are clearly unwilling to
compromise his summer goals by squeezing in a race for the sake of it. As
Niermann explained, talk of specific comeback events is premature, especially
given logistical constraints and the team’s broader race calendar.
“I read somewhere in a sports newspaper which races are an
option for Jonas. But a number of those possibilities are not on our calendar
at all. I also think we do not have enough riders in our selection to suddenly
fit a new stage race into our program. But of course there are options if we
later think that Jonas needs an extra race. It has to be in function of the
Tour, that is the most important thing for us.”
It’s a pragmatic approach to say the least, and it is true
that Vingegaard has never been a rider who needs heavy racing to find form. His
traditional formula (altitude training camps and a selective race calendar) has
worked wonders over the past two years, which is especially impressive
considering in 2024 the first time he raced after his spring crash was at the
Tour.
Yet the enforced pause caused by his crash this spring has
forced Visma to revisit their plans. Niermann made clear that a new schedule is
being built with his trainers, and that any race added will only be considered
if it meaningfully contributes to Tour readiness.
Pogacar and Vingegaard have not faced off since last July
That mindset, of racing only when in winning shape, is
central to Vingegaard’s philosophy, and one that Visma are clearly committed to
preserving.
“It’s always great when Jonas rides a race,” Niermann
continued. “Normally, if he participates, it means he’s good enough to compete
for the win in that race. That’s in line with what we want: to win races. On
the other hand, Jonas is our big focus for the summer, for the Tour de France.
And we also have him in mind to perhaps ride the Vuelta a España. Then you have
to set priorities.”
With those priorities in mind, the team is wary of
overloading his calendar or disrupting altitude training blocks. Niermann was
clear that any extra race would need to serve a specific purpose: sharpening
race sharpness without compromising the physical foundations built at altitude.
"We’re not going to send him to races that make it more
difficult to go on altitude training. That’s not how it works, of course. If he
does an extra race, it has to contribute to the Tour."
Liege-Bastogne-Liege?
Naturally, attention has turned to the races on the calendar
that could potentially suit Vingegaard’s return, most notably the Ardennes
Classics and the Tour de Romandie. While the Walloon races would mark a
departure from his usual approach, they do offer competitive intensity without
the length of a full stage race.
But again, the message is one of caution. “We are looking
into that,” said Niermann, referring to options like Liège–Bastogne–Liège or
Romandie. “But we are not going to send Jonas to a race at half strength. If he
races, it is to compete for the win and he must therefore be 100% fit.”
The mere prospect of Vingegaard heading to Liege to face off
with Pogacar is enough to get us cycling fans talking in anticipation. Could we
finally be about to see the two great GC riders of their era go head to head at
a monument?
🇧🇪 #DDV25
— Team Visma | Lease a Bike (@vismaleaseabike) April 1, 2025
Racing across Flanders tomorrow! 💪 pic.twitter.com/cnedQFnE9U
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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