“Jonas Vingegaard doesn’t give a damn what people think of him and how he rides” - Visma leader staunchly defended by compatriot amid Giro tactics criticism

Jonas Vingegaard has won both summit finishes so far at the 2026 Giro d’Italia, but the way the Dane has done it has become almost as much of a talking point as the victories themselves.

The Team Visma | Lease a Bike leader has looked in control through the first major climbing tests of the race, taking wins on Blockhaus and Corno alle Scale without needing to launch long-range attacks or completely dismantle his rivals. Instead, Vingegaard has waited, followed the decisive moves and finished with the sharpest acceleration when it mattered most.

That approach has drawn criticism. After Stage 9, former Giro d’Italia winner Tom Dumoulin was scathing about the Dane’s tactics, arguing that Vingegaard should have contributed more after following Felix Gall on the final climb. Dumoulin suggested the ride lacked style and reinforced the image of Vingegaard as a rider prepared to sit tight before delivering the final blow.

Michael Valgren sees it very differently. Speaking to TV 2 Sport, the EF Education - EasyPost rider defended his compatriot and argued that Vingegaard is simply handling the pressure of being the Giro favourite in the most effective way. “Jonas goes into this race as a huge favourite, and the way he handles the mental game is actually a real pleasure to follow from the sidelines,” Valgren said.

The debate sharpened after the finish at Corno alle Scale. Gall had been one of the few riders willing to test the race, while Vingegaard stayed measured before attacking late and taking another stage victory.

For Dumoulin, that was the issue. The Dutchman’s criticism was not that Vingegaard lacked strength, but that he did not use it in a way that carried the same attacking appeal as riders such as Tadej Pogacar or Mathieu van der Poel. It was a critique of style, not results.

That distinction matters. Vingegaard is not being questioned because his tactics are failing. He is being questioned because they are working in a way some viewers find too conservative. Valgren’s response was blunt. “He does not give a damn what people think of him and how he rides,” he said. “They have a clear plan for how they want to do it, and it works. And then people can shout and scream at him, and he does not care one bit.”

That is the central tension of Vingegaard’s Giro. He has come to Italy as the overwhelming favourite, with the expectation that he should not only win but impose himself on the race. So far, he has done enough to take command of the narrative without riding as though every mountain stage needs to become a statement of domination.

There is also a wider logic behind Visma’s approach. Vingegaard is trying to win the Giro while keeping the Tour de France in view, and that makes economy almost as important as spectacle.

A more explosive rider might look to bury the race at the earliest opportunity. Vingegaard’s Giro has been different. He has taken the victories available, gained time where possible and avoided spending more than necessary before the race reaches its decisive second half.

That may frustrate those who want a more romantic version of racing, but Valgren argued that the only judgement that will matter is the one delivered at the end of the race. “I also think he will care even less when he is standing on the podium in Rome, probably in the pink leader’s jersey,” Valgren said. “Then he might as well just give a certain finger and say: ‘What did I tell you?’ It works. Huge respect.”

If Vingegaard does go on to win the Giro, he will complete the set of Grand Tour victories after previous success at the Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana. That would give his ride in Italy a historical weight that will matter far more than arguments over whether he won with enough flair.

For now, the criticism is unlikely to change Visma’s plan. Vingegaard is not racing to satisfy aesthetic demands. He is racing to win the Giro, and so far, his controlled approach has left his rivals searching for answers.