"It's a shame to be without perhaps your best card" - Magnus Cort Nielsen not hopeful Jonas Vingegaard will lead Danes at World Championship in Rwanda
CyclingMonday, 11 November 2024 at 14:18
When you think of Danish cyclists, not many if any, spring to mind quicker than Team Visma | Lease a Bike leader and two time Tour de France champion, Jonas Vingegaard. When it comes to representing Denmark in World Championships though, the 27-year-old has been consistently absent.
In 2025 though, a very climber friendly course in Rwanda is set to decide the Rainbow Jersey. As such, there is growing hope that Vingegaard could don the red of the Danes in Africa and lead his nation in their World Championship challenge. However, one of the regulars of the Danish national team, Magnus Cort Nielsen, isn't quite so sure of Vingegaard's participation.
"It's always more fun the better the team you put together, and it's a shame to be without perhaps your best card," admits the Uno-X Mobility rider of Vingegaard's absence for Denmark over recent seasons, in conversation with Ekstra Bladet. "Of course it's different for him to race one-day races. He focuses a lot on the classification, but I'm sure he'll be able to do well."
Given the success Vingegaard has had at the Tour de France especially though, Cort Nielsen understands why Grand Tours and general classifications have taken the sole focus of the Visma leader. "You have to opt out of something. Obviously, not many people opt out of the World Championship. Especially if they can ride their own chance of victory," he explains. "But the Tour de France is so big, and being in his position is completely different to coming like me and hoping for a stage win. He's in a completely different place, and I can see that it's fine to look after yourself. So I have respect for that too."
If Vingegaard is absent, it's likely that alongside Magnus Cort Nielsen, the likes of Mattias Skjelmose and Mads Pedersen will be the leading light of the Danish team once again.
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Jonas is a 'one trick pony' ! It's GTs or nothing. Can get himself to do any classics or world championships that fit his riding style.
he already has plans with his family for that weekend.
If Jonas is happy then everything all right, but for the cycling fans it's a shame... while Tadej wins all without obstacles, his only dangerous rival is so busy changing diapers. C'est la vie.
Is it Jonas’ fault now that no-one else takes on Pog?
Why do/should fans pressure and expect him to fulfil their desires whenever they’re in need of stimulation?
Is it his fault he’s the “only” credible rival? Why not push Remco more who seems more willing anyway so it’s hardly difficult. Why not moan about the lack of enough talent/work from EVERYONE else paid to ride?
Why do we accept sprinters as one-trick ponies.
Why don’t everyday people do more in their lives that’s asked/expected of them, including more important stuff than entertaining others who can’t find it elsewhere?
Come on, too much drama. No one is in "fault", It's just a comment about the bad luck of the fans. Among friends, we joke saying that the evil God of cycling gives bread (talent) to those who don't want chewing (and only want to play safe). It's a joke.
The way comments are going (number, repetitions, criticism (not always subtle or hidden), anger, etc. I don’t think it’s a joke for everyone and as you probably have noticed, the number or incidents athletes are starting to experience through frustrated fans (viewers more precisely) whether online as abuse or in reality shows that fan sentiment has already become a dangerous thing in sport.
It’s time, like in many other parts of life, that we stop telling others what to do as long as they don’t do anything that directly affects our own life. So yes, moan about politicians and business leaders and crooks but not about how much sport an athlete decides to dedicate himself to, what business is it of anyone else except his employer how much he wants to ride or abuse his body or neglect his family?
ok, I respect your opinion but I don't agree with your perception. We talking informally about cycling, riders, who it's a pleasure to watch in more competitions, etc. Then we can't talk about nothing because all is hurting, all is incorrect..
Jonas already has plans with his kids and won’t be there.