Visma aware of how to keep Jonas Vingegaard in place after Gran Camino dominance: "It gives you a lot of self-confidence. Sometimes we also think that is a pitfall"

Team Visma | Lease a Bike were in full control of the Opening Weekend but in Spain they found themselves in the same situation at Gran Camiño. Jonas Vingegaard comfortably won all three road stages but the Dutch team argue that he is aware this won't fall into the trap of overconfidence.

“You have nothing but praise for him, because if you saw the weather conditions, it's quite a change. Especially if you have just come from a mountain in Tenerife,” team DS Frans Maassen told Wielerflits. “He is relaxed all day long, even on the bus. He is motivated and a real leader, so the other boys are very motivated to do everything for him. He really had to learn leadership, but I am amazed at how mature he has become in it. And how he is always in balance. In the car we were sometimes more nervous than he was, for example on certain descents.”

The four days of racing in Spain were very much a learning experiences for youngsters such as Cian Uijtdebroeks, Johannes Staune-Mittet and two other riders from the development team that joined throughout the week. Wilco Kelderman guided Vingegaard through the early climbs in the days whilst the Dane attacked himself uphill on all three stages in order to take wins and the overall classification.

“If you have a season like last year, in which he wins almost every race, it gives you a lot of self-confidence. Sometimes we also think that is a pitfall. That he can take it too easily. We sometimes pay attention to that, because it seems to come easily to him," Maassen argues, aware of the dangers "You have to keep working and keep the focus. But Jonas has worked hard in the preparation. It then seems to be easy, which makes you think that pressing a button is enough to deliver. But it remains the course, 101 things can happen.”

He also shares an interesting detail on the Dane's relationship with the crowd present at the race, despite the horrible weather that has affected it all week long: “After a stage victory in O Gran Camiño, Jonas found it difficult to leave a hundred children standing who had been waiting to have their picture taken. He found that annoying. But he can't do it right for everyone either. You can't please everyone."

“He doesn't have to take another step," DS Robert Wagner added. Heading into Tirreno-Adriatico, it would be safe to assume that he will be the man to beat in the fight for the blue jersey. "He is ready, he has shown that. Now staying healthy is the most important thing."

"We had initially thought about Strade Bianche for him, but he himself indicated that he would be away from home for a month. He must also feel good as a person. He's a family man, so sometimes you have to put on the brakes. We honored that so he could catch his breath.”