"It doesn't work if the captain isn't making all the same sacrifices" - Jonas Vingegaard told to make the same sacrifices as teammates in training camp warning
Cycling
Jonas Vingegaard is set to go back to the drawing board in his bid to win the Tour de France for a third time, and part of his 2027 vision for the yellow jersey could include an alternative preparation for the Grand Tour that includes less time spent away at altitude camps.
However, according to compatriot Michael Rasmussen, an approach that could entail his teammates spending more time in the relative isolation of an altitude camp risks impacting the team harmony of the squad at La Grand Boucle.
The idea of the Dane adopting a more personal approach to the race was initially suggested during the 2026 Tour as Vingegaard revealed that he negotiated with the Dutch team for greater input into his schedule to promote a better cycling-life balance.
However, Rasmussen believes that if such a reduced preparation with teammates plays out, it risks separating himself from his teammates.
“Sometimes there is a bit of a misunderstanding up in Glyngøre about what is best for Jonas from a sporting perspective,” Rasmussen told Viaplay’s Sportstalk.
"He needs to have the team behind him"
“If Jonas wants to succeed and have hopes of winning the Tour de France, he needs to have the team behind him.”
Explaining further, Rasmussen believes that the 29-year-old should be present at all training camps before the Tour in order to preserve the squad's harmony in his bid to beat three-in-a-row winner Tadej Pogacar.
“You can’t expect all your teammates to be delighted about spending four weeks at an altitude training camp to support a rider who isn’t even there.
“You go to war together as soldiers. It doesn't work if the captain isn't making all the same sacrifices, including going to altitude training camp. If you want the full support of all your soldiers, you have to lead from the front and be up there on the mountain yourself.”
Rasmussen thinks Vingegaard could miss podium in 2027
Meanwhile, Rasmussen believes that the Tour route is not aimed towards Vingegaard anymore, signalling that ASO have opted to suit the needs of other contenders such as Remco Evenepoel and Paul Seixas following three second places in a row for the Dane.
Going as far as to say that Vingegaard could finish outside the podium at the 2027 Tour, the route offers less mountain finishes and long climbs than previous editions - a route element that usually favours the two-time winner.
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“I actually think he’ll finish outside the podium,” Rasmussen said of Vingegaard after the Tour route was revealed.
“I put a lot of weight on what the bookmakers say, and they’re rarely completely wrong. It makes a lot of sense. Jonas hasn’t really been handed any gifts by this Tour de France route.”
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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