"It's so damn ugly!" - Jonas Vingegaard's new helmet blasted by Danish cycling legend

Jonas Vingegaard is back in action this week, competing at Paris-Nice. The two-time Tour de France winner is even more recognisable than ever too, thanks to a new and unique helmet made especially for Vingegaard, helping the Dane standout amongst the peloton on the TV cameras.

Vingegaard is by means the first rider to have a personalised helmet, with his own Team Visma | Lease a Bike teammate Wout van Aert famously recognisable through his Red Bull helmet. The striking red and white look Vingegaard has gone for hasn't been met with universal appreciation. Despite the fact the colour scheme is supposed to represent the nation of Denmark, one Danish cycling legend has blasted his compatriots new look.

"It's so damn ugly!" Michael Rasmussen laments on Viaplay Sport News when asked his opinion on the striking addition to Vingegaard's outfit at Paris-Nice this week. "It just looks completely wrong when it has to match that yellow-and-black Visma suit. But it's well-received by this hardware store, which has chosen to sponsor Jonas."

Just because Rasmussen doesn't appreciate the look of the red and white helmet with Team Visma | Lease a Bike's traditional yellow and black attire, doesn't mean the Dane isn't supportive of the idea in general, praising the company behind the initiative - Bygma - for the idea of getting themselves onto Vingegaard with so much attention. 

"He's probably Denmark's most exposed athlete. I can't imagine anyone else getting as many facial photos taken this year," Rasmussen notes in conclusion. "So in that way, it's pretty damn good."

Vingegaard's fans will have to get used to this new look whether they like it or not. The Grand Tour superstar is set to wear the unique helmet for the remainder of 2025, including a Tour de France return and reported trips to the Vuelta a Espana and the Rwanda World Championships.