“People will not forget this quickly” – What will be the after affects of the tension between Visma and Vingegaard’s family?

In recent days, the Danish media has been abuzz with reactions to Trine Hansen’s public criticism of Team Visma | Lease a Bike, her husband Jonas Vingegaard’s team. In an interview with the Danish newspaper Politiken, Hansen said the team had pushed Vingegaard “too hard.”

The interview immediately drew attention, not just for its content, but also for its timing, published during the Tour de France, where Vingegaard is chasing a third title. Danish journalists Sarah Fisker and Rasmus Nowak Franklin shared their perspectives with Wielerflits, offering context on both the interview and the reaction at home.

"It is a large, traditional, centre-left newspaper in our country," says Sarah Fisker, a journalist at DR. "It is a very respected and credible medium." Rasmus Nowak Franklin, from Danish cycling outlet Feltet, added: "It is also a serious medium, from Copenhagen. If they approach you for an interview, you consider it more quickly."

Franklin noted the surprising nature of the interview’s release. “Still, I was very surprised. On the one hand because of the timing, although as a journalist I would also have chosen to publish in the Tour. Then you simply get the most attention.

“And Trine has always been very outspoken, also in the past. She has also done a lot of speaking for Jonas. Don't forget that Trine is eleven years older than him. When they met, Jonas was I think 19 or 20 years old, while she was almost thirty at the time. So Trine has always been much older than Jonas. You saw that more often in their relationship, if I may say so.”

Vingegaard, who has won two Tour de France titles with Visma and is now attempting to reclaim his crown from Tadej Pogacar, has generally appeared to have a strong relationship with his team. But the interview stirred debate back home.

“It immediately led to discussion in our country,” Fisker explains. “Experts think it is really bad timing of the publication, because Jonas now has to deal with a lot of questions about it in the Tour. Also, not many people understand where the criticism comes from. Jonas does not ride nearly as many races as other top riders, so he should have more time for his family than others.” Franklin observed a similar reaction online. “On Facebook we mainly read that Trine should not speak for Jonas every time.”

“Still, the story intrigues me,” Franklin continues. “It’s not that one quote has been taken out of context, or – as Visma | Lease a Bike states – that it’s out of proportion. When I read the story, it was very thorough and outspoken. Trine keeps saying the same thing, she’s nuanced, she goes into depth. It’s actually very honest and refreshing of her to talk about it like that. And we don’t often see a cyclist’s wife take on the challenge in this way.”

Fisker added that the reaction within the team appeared just as uncertain. “It seems like no one knew anything. The team didn’t and even Jonas didn’t have an answer ready, as if it surprised him too. So it also gives an impression of poor communication between Jonas, Trine and Visma | Lease a Bike.”

“Trine hasn’t responded yet after the publication, I think they hope the media attention will die down,” says Fisker. “Jonas usually doesn’t care much about what the press says, but this unrest in the team certainly won’t help him.” Franklin echoed that sentiment: “We’ll have to wait and see whether this situation will affect his performance. But if he loses two minutes to Tadej Pogacar, it won’t be because of this interview.”

As the race continues, Fisker expects the story to linger. “It will remain an underlying discussion in the coming weeks. If Visma | Lease a Bike goes for stage wins with Wout or makes tactical mistakes, for example. People will not forget this quickly.”