"Maybe I wanted to try something new" - Jonas Vingegaard starts 2025 season at Volta ao Algarve with fresh mindset

One of the most exciting parts about the early season, is the anticipation of seeing where and when the box office riders will get their campaigns underway. For Team Visma | Lease a Bike leader Jonas Vingegaard, start day has arrived at the 2025 Volta ao Algarve.

Typically, Vingegaard starts his season in Spain at Gran Camino, making this year's season opener in Portugal a bit of a change for the two-time Tour de France winner. "I really like [Gran Camiño], but I didn't like the weather we've had in the last two years," Vingegaard explained when speaking to the media ahead of the race. "So maybe I wanted to try something new and see. I'm happy to be here and I'm looking forward to the race. I hope to be able to fight for the win. We have a strong team as well, and I'm not the only one who's able to do something. We'll go for it, for sure."

After a injury-hit 2024, Vingegaard starts his 2025 campaign with a fresh mindset. "I don't know if I'm searching for answers. I think I'm just going to enjoy racing again," he previews. "I feel like I've made a step. I feel strong at the moment. You never know what everyone else has done so it's hard to compare. You just have to focus on yourself, and I've focussed all winter to get as good as possible. I've changed approach and haven't been at altitude camp, so it will be interesting to see what that does to the shape."

The Dane isn't likely to have things all his own way in the Algarve though, with the likes of Primoz Roglic, Joao Almeida and Geraint Thomas also among the starters. "I think my main opponent is the one you just mentioned (Roglic ed.)," Vingegaard analyses when questioned by the media. "It's a strong peloton here and obviously I also have to be on a good and high level. I hope to be able to compete with these guys for the general classification."

"I've had some good training in the last four or five weeks, so I think the shape is coming along and I'm really looking forward to racing again. It's been a while since my last race, obviously but of course, now I'm looking forward to this race and my next races," he concludes. "Of course I miss racing. I love to race and that's why I love this job. I've been training a lot but I needed the off-season early last year because of everything that happened, obviously. But now, I'm motivated for this year, especially now for this race and the upcoming races. Then we'll see, also for later on in the season."