"You know that everyone is looking at him" - Jonas Vingegaard managed well on first test of 2025 insists Visma despite not contesting victory

Stage 2 of the 2025 Volta ao Algarve not only brought the first summit finish of the Portuguese stage race, but also the first real test of the season for Team Visma | Lease a Bike leader Jonas Vingegaard. Crossing the line in 6th, 10 seconds down was by no means a disaster and according to Visma DS Arthur van Dongen, the signs are largely positive for the Dane.

"He rode a good race," Van Dongen is insistent in a post-stage interview with Eurosport, after UAE Team Emirates - XRG's Jan Christen had taken the stage victory in a UAE one-two ahead of Joao Almeida. "Tactically it was perfect today," adds the Team Visma | Lease a Bike sports director.

"Ben Tulett was on the attack on the final climb, which was good for us. When he had to let go, Vingegaard could do his turns with the favourites to still catch up with the leading group. He looked strong in that. He did long turns at the front of the chasers, but you know that everyone is looking at him and will benefit from him. That was Almeida in the end," Van Dongen continues. "We are already looking ahead, everything is still possible in this race."