“Jonas is one of the very best cyclists in the world” - Riders say Vingegaard’s Paris-Nice dominance was no surprise

Jonas Vingegaard’s commanding overall victory at Paris-Nice left few in the peloton surprised after a week in which the Dane repeatedly proved the strongest rider in the race.

The Team Visma | Lease a Bike leader sealed the Maillot Jaune in Nice after controlling the general classification for much of the week and once again shaping the decisive moments of the final stage in the hills above the Côte d’Azur.

Speaking in comments reported by TV2, Kasper Asgreen suggested the outcome reflected the level Vingegaard has long established at the top of the sport. “It almost sounds cheeky to say it, but it was as expected,” Asgreen said. “Jonas is one of the very best cyclists in the world. He’s incredibly strong.”

Inside the yellow jersey camp, Vingegaard’s teammates had approached the final stage with a different priority: protecting the race lead rather than gambling unnecessarily for another victory.

“The main goal was to get through safely, not take any risks and defend the jersey,” Victor Campenaerts told TV2 after the finish. “We also came close to the stage win, but Martinez rode well. We’re really happy to defend the jersey.”

Even on the closing stage around Nice, the race unfolded at a relentless tempo from the start as teams battled for control before the final climbs.

“It was intense, and especially INEOS wanted to take control,” Campenaerts explained. “But we also showed as a team that we wanted to control the race. It’s really good for the morale of the team that we were able to defend the jersey.”

While Vingegaard ultimately had to settle for second on the stage behind Lenny Martinez, the Dane had already secured overall victory long before the sprint in Nice.

For Asgreen, who crossed the line relieved after completing the race for the first time in his career, the final day still brought its own sense of achievement. "I made it through Paris-Nice for the first time ever!” he said with a smile.

At the same time, the Dane pointed to another storyline developing within the race, with Georg Steinhauser securing a place on the overall podium. “That was probably a bit more important,” Asgreen said. “It was quite a battle, but Georg rode really well. He’s super strong, and I’ve had the feeling for a while that it would come at some point.”

Across the peloton, Vingegaard’s Paris-Nice victory was seen less as a surprise and more as confirmation of the level he continues to produce in stage races.

From the riders racing alongside him to those helping defend his lead inside the peloton, the message after eight demanding days in France was consistent. When the Dane arrives in form, few are surprised by the outcome.