"These are the best wattages I've ever ridden" - Jonas Vingegaard confident of evolution into 2023

Jonas Vingegaard has not had the spring Tadej Pogacar has shown, but a convincing victory at Itzulia Basque Country was enough to put an end to his doubts. He ended his spring campaign there, renewed with Jumbo-Visma ahead of a crucial Tour de France where he will be trying to defend his title.

"These are the best wattages I've ever ridden, but in the Basque Country we also completed a different type of climb. I believe my wattages are higher than they were in the spring of 2022," Vingegaard said in an interview with Feltet. "The feeling is also better so far this season. I had a better kick and my powers were better for a short period of five to ten minutes."

The Dane started his season at Gran Camino where he won all three stages and the overall classification, and then moved on to Paris-Nice, where he was dealt a blow by being defeated by Tadej Pogacar heavily. As the Slovenian moved into the spring classics - where he's succeeded enormously - Vingegaard continued a build-up which culminated at the Basque race, where he himself won three stages and the GC against quality competition. There he reported tremendous form, better than last year.

“Last year I generally had a lot of illness and injuries during the winter. I think you could see that from my level as well. I feel much stronger this year and that really gives me a good feeling. I think they're definitely doing some things differently. They sometimes change the training and how we train when we are on altitude training," the 26-year old continues. "They do a lot of research and ask someone with expertise about what we can do to become even stronger and get better incentives."

His confidence in Jumbo-Visma is very high, as the Dutch team continues to perform and build three separate blocks capable of contesting for victories at the most contested races. Vingegaard was set to initially race the Ardennes classics but opted out, instead focusing on the Tour de France. “We chose to skip those classics. My preparation period for the Tour de France will therefore be almost a month longer," he completed.