Vingegaard opens back up to the public months after Tour de France glory: "I needed some rest after the Tour"

It was a long string of two months without competition for Jonas Vingegaard, which have left some wondering of his whereabouts. After a long-teased announcement, today Jumbo-Visma confirmed the Dane will be at the start of the Cro Race as he returns to competition.

“It is a good preparation course for Lombardia," Vingegaard said in a press conference ahead of the stage-race. "I needed some rest after the Tour, but now I'm building up again. We wanted to do things a little differently with the team this year and that's why we're here."

I am very happy to be here. It's my first race since the Tour. I hope I'm in good shape and that we can have a good race as a team. With some hilly stages, Vingegaard should lead the Dutch team in Croatia. Koen Bouwman will be another weapon, whils the team also celebrates the return of Milan Vader after life-threatening injuries suffered at Itzulia Basque Country.

"We will start with a strong team. In my childhood I already went on holiday in Croatia and then also rode my bicycle. It is a beautiful country," he commented. Although he isn't expected to be in his best form, or have a perfectly suited route, he could be in the ropes for the title - conquered by Stephen Williams last season. He is looking to quickly bounce back and ride into Il Lombardia with strong form, after a training camp which came weeks after he's fully recovered from his success, and the media attention that followed.

“The last three weeks I was in Spain to prepare for the remaining races. I hope my form is already good enough, but we will see that in the race this week," he said. "It's a nice race, although I would have preferred a real finish uphill. Yet the course is still very hilly with some mountains on the way. I look forward."

He was keen aswell on pointing out that the success hasn't changed him, as he looks set to return to the peloton at a smaller race. "There are now more people who recognize me, but I am still the same Jonas," he concluded.