“It’s truly an honour for me to race with him” - Davide Piganzoli full of respect for Jonas Vingegaard as two-time Tour winner embraces mentor role at Paris-Nice

Paris-Nice has quickly become a significant test for Davide Piganzoli in his first season with Team Visma | Lease a Bike. The 23-year-old Italian arrived at the Dutch team over the winter after two seasons with Team Polti VisitMalta, but this week marks his first stage race with the squad, and it has come alongside one of cycling’s biggest names in Jonas Vingegaard.

Piganzoli was originally scheduled to ride Tirreno-Adriatico, but when Vingegaard’s programme changed, and the Dane opted for Paris-Nice, Visma reshuffled their line-up and brought the Italian into the race as part of the mountain support group around the two-time Tour de France winner.

For a rider still adjusting to life inside one of the sport’s most structured teams, the difference in scale has been immediate.

“Last year I wasn’t used to racing this kind of event, but I want to prove myself,” Piganzoli said in conversation with TV2.

Piganzoli arrives at Visma with a quietly strong foundation. He has already ridden the Giro d’Italia twice and finished inside the top fifteen on both occasions, while also collecting several podium results in smaller races. His 2025 season ended with 16th place at Il Lombardia before he joined Visma ahead of the new campaign.

His first race in Visma colours also hinted at his potential, finishing sixth at the Faun-Ardèche Classic at the end of February.

Paris-Nice, however, represents a different challenge entirely. With Vingegaard leading the team, the Italian’s role has shifted firmly towards support in the decisive terrain.

“It’s truly an honour for me to race with him, and I try to learn as much as I can from him,” Piganzoli said. “I am here to try to help him as much as I can.”

That responsibility has already been visible during the opening days of the race. In the team time trial on Stage 3, Piganzoli remained alongside Vingegaard deep into the effort and crossed the line in the same finishing group as the team leader.

The result left Visma slightly disappointed after finishing fourth behind INEOS Grenadiers, Lidl-Trek and Decathlon CMA CGM Team, but it also highlighted the riders the team is relying on to support Vingegaard as the race moves into its decisive stages.

Piganzoli had already spent time training with the Dane during Visma’s winter camps, and Paris-Nice is now providing the first real opportunity to translate that preparation into race situations.

For the Italian, the objective remains simple: learn quickly, support the team leader when the race turns difficult and continue proving his value inside the team. And riding alongside one of the sport’s dominant stage racers is not something he is taking for granted.