"That double is impossible in modern cycling" - Jumbo-Visma DS Zeeman argues that extremely detailed preparation makes Giro-Tour double unachievable currently
Cycling
The Giro d'Italia and Tour de France GC on the same year is a difficult challenge, but one which riders have attempted - and succeeded - in recent years. However, Jumbo-Visma's DS Merijn Zeeman argues that a victory in both is no longer possible because of how much work goes into preparing for a Grand Tour.
“Everyone knows that in the run-up to Paris-Nice, Jonas had some private issues that threw him back," Merijn Zeeman told Wielerflits. "In the Itzulia Basque Country he was then very good and managed to book three stage victories in addition to the final victories. There he really impressed on a course that was not even suitable for him. He then continued that line in the training sessions, so that he came to the start of the Tour in Bilbao in top form.”
Zeeman keeps up with the Dane all season long and has managed the team into victory over the last few years quite well. Jumbo-Visma have put in extreme focus into detail in the run-up to the Tour in both years, successfully as they stand on the verge of winning both. But besides the obvious quality in the lineups he underlines the detail in preparation which Vingegaard has undergone this spring.
“The first part of the season with Paris-Nice and the Itzulia Basque Country was also a goal for Jonas. We also prepared for that period at altitude. After the Basque Country, we didn't have such a good experience for him in the past with the Flèche Wallone and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. That is why we have chosen this year to remove the Ardennes classics from its program," he shares. "In order not to let him ride unnecessarily races, where we did not see any direct opportunities for him.”
Instead Vingegaard put in extra work preparing for the Grand Boucle whilst Tadej Pogacar had to take time off due to injuries suffered at Liège-Bastogne-Liège. A method perhaps that works perfectly for the Dutch team and they have implemented it once again. “That has indeed worked out well for two years now. This preparation is part of our way of working. It's commendable how much Jonas and those other guys are willing to give to get to their best level."
"Quite a lot is asked of them. They are away from home for a long time and they are certainly not easy camps. Work is done every day. That has paid off. Tim Heemskerk, Jonas Vingegaard's trainer, and the performance staff planned this very carefully. Everyone has worked hard all season.”
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Despite not having Primoz Roglic, who also had his tailor-made preparation for the Giro d'Italia, Jumbo has been able to take to the front of the Tour. “Let me put it this way: a team with Primoz is always better than a team without Primoz. To go to the Giro d'Italia with Primoz and to the Tour de France with Jonas is a planning choice we made together. The Giro is a fantastic race."
"I also read an interview with Pogačar in which he says that he also wants to ride the Giro one day. When you're in Tour it's always about the Tour, but the Giro is also a great race. However, I do not believe in one thing: you can no longer ride a general classification in both the Giro and the Tour. In my opinion, that double is impossible in modern cycling," he concludes.
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Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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- Where Merckx just rode every single race he could and won all the time, Hinault won less often (percentage wise) because he was more judicious in what he raced. His palmares are nuts. He had amazing rivals, one to start his career and another to end it in the grand tours. His classics were solid. What sets him apart from Merckx and Pogačar are that he basically dabbled in the classics while the other two love(d) them. I used to compare Pogačar to Hinault for his grand tour record and occasional classics win, until I realized that the comparison was wrong. Pogačar loves the classics - ah, the memory of his reaction to finishing fourth in a 2 person sprint in Flanders in ‘22: utter domination in any one day race since then, even when he doesn’t win. Hinault lived for the grand tours and I don’t think anyone else will ever reach his record. 10 wins in 13 attempts? Good lord. An amazing rider. Wish there was more footage to watch.RidesHills11-11-2026
- I had no idea about that either.
santiagobenites10-11-2026 - great analysis thanks! appreciate you posting this. I didn't realize CX had a different standard for deviation. this is even more egregious it seems.mij10-11-2026
- As he isn't currently with Red Bull, I guess if he want to race for one more year he needs to find a team. He's 37 so this will be his last year I would guess, unless he wants to race for almost nothing like Froome did.awp10-11-2026
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- Giro or not Giro, he won't win the Tour!MajorPayne10-11-2026
- Very true.awp10-11-2026
- Ciccone had a very strong end of season. Consistently attacking and livening up races. Hope he makes that last leap in progress and starts notching some significant wins. Great rider to watch.Occam10-11-2026
- Me too!!!!!Occam10-11-2026
- they can sign any 100 of top riders today but Pogi will win over Remco any time at the TDF unless something goes wrongabstractengineer10-11-2026
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🇫🇷 #TDF2023 Of course, also today. 🤜🏼🤛🏼
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