"Let go of the constant rivalry with Tadej Pogacar" - Fabio Aru advises Jonas Vingegaard to end 'Tour-centric narrative'

As the cycling world turns its attention toward the final Grand Tour of the season, Fabio Aru — winner of the 2015 Vuelta a Espana — has offered some pointed advice to Jonas Vingegaard: break free from the fixation on the Tour de France and chart a broader course.

Speaking to TuttoBiciWeb ahead of this year’s Vuelta, the retired Italian reflected on both his own career and the current state of Grand Tour racing. While Aru acknowledged Vingegaard's immense strength, he questioned whether the Dane’s singular focus on Tadej Pogacar and the Tour is ultimately working in his favour.

“Winning the Vuelta could be a way for him to relieve some of that pressure and to break free from the Tour-centric narrative,” Aru analysed. “He should start targeting other goals — Liège, the Giro, for example — and let go of the constant rivalry with Pogacar.”

It’s a sentiment that may resonate with those who’ve followed the recent evolution of Vingegaard’s career. The 28-year-old has twice won the Tour (2022, 2023) and finished runner-up to Pogacar this year, but crucially — and somewhat symbolically — left the 2025 edition without a single stage win. Aru believes this is indicative of a deeper trend. “In the past two Tours, he may well have been even stronger than when he won — yet this year, he didn’t even take a single stage,” he noted. “The results speak for themselves. Tadej is making his mark.”

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Aru’s own Grand Tour triumph — a dramatic and emotionally-charged Vuelta in which he overhauled Tom Dumoulin in the final mountain stage with the full backing of his Astana squad.

“It remains incredibly emotional — especially with the Vuelta visiting Italy this year,” said Aru, who will serve as an ambassador during the race this year. “We had a solid strategy and felt strong, but Dumoulin fought until the very last day. You don’t just drop a rider like that.”

His memories of that race — and the tactical nuance it required — inform his broader perspective on what Vingegaard and others face today, particularly in a GC landscape that has become increasingly binary, defined by the duopoly of Vingegaard and Pogacar.

Aru's message is not one of criticism, but of evolution. He sees an opportunity for Vingegaard to diversify his targets — and in doing so, to free himself from the suffocating expectations that now surround his every appearance at the Tour.

“He’s capable of great performances, but we’ll have to see how he’s come out of the Tour and how well he’s recovered,” Aru said with caution, pointing to the lingering unknowns heading into the Vuelta. “It’s time to broaden his palmarès. Riders like Vincenzo Nibali built legendary careers by winning across different terrains and calendars. Jonas has the ability — but he needs to shift his mindset.”

Looking to the next generation, Aru also expressed hope for two Italian talents: Giulio Ciccone and Giulio Pellizzari. After a strong showing in the Giro, Pellizzari is expected to take another step forward, while Ciccone — a proven stage hunter — received some tactical advice from the former Vuelta champion.

“Focus on a few select stages rather than chasing the GC from the start,” Aru advised. “Climbers like Vingegaard won’t leave much room for anyone else on the big mountain days.”

As the 2025 Vuelta a España approaches, Aru’s words serve as both a reflection and a challenge — to Vingegaard, but also to the sport more broadly. In an era increasingly dominated by head-to-head narratives, Aru makes the case for a return to strategic diversity, to calendar variety, and to a broader vision of greatness.

Because in the end, even for the most dominant riders, Grand Tours are not the only measure of legacy — and perhaps, not even the most meaningful.