"I’ve closed the gap to Tadej Pogacar" - Vuelta win renews Jonas Vingegaard's confidence ahead of upcoming European Championships

Jonas Vingegaard believes his victory at the 2025 Vuelta a Espana has brought him closer than ever to long-time rival Tadej Pogacar – and renewed his belief that he can take the fight to the Slovenian in the years ahead.

The Dane claimed his first Grand Tour triumph since the crash that derailed his spring campaign at the Tour of the Basque Country in 2024. After three gruelling weeks in Spain, he stood atop the podium in Madrid on Sunday, his third career Grand Tour title following Tour de France victories in 2022 and 2023.

Speaking to Feltet.dk, Vingegaard admitted that while the past two Tours de France have both ended in defeat to Pogacar, this season has shown him that the balance is shifting.

“I think this Vuelta gives me hope and belief that I can challenge him even more next year,” Vingegaard said. “Even at the Tour de France, although it was a clear defeat, I still took confidence from it. I had some bad days in the Tour, which I still find difficult to explain. But when I was on my best days, he couldn’t ride away from me. That makes me feel like I’ve closed the gap compared to last year.”

The 28-year-old also endured difficult moments in Spain, but unlike in July, this time there was a clear reason: illness. Once recovered, Vingegaard showed the level that carried him to back-to-back Tour titles. “In this Vuelta, when I was really at my level, I felt I had a very, very high level,” he reflected.

His performance on the Bola del Mundo climb in the final weekend, where he surged to a decisive stage victory, underlined his return to peak condition after a disrupted season.

Vingegaard’s immediate focus now turns to recovery before the European Championships in France on 5 October – his last major target of 2025. He will line up as one of Denmark’s key riders, while compatriot Mads Pedersen is set to contest both the time trial and the road race.

For Vingegaard, however, the Vuelta has already delivered something just as valuable as a trophy: belief. “I feel I’ve shown I’m back at the level I want to be,” he said. “That gives me confidence for what’s to come.”