Vingegaard Hints at Giro d’Italia Start in 2026, Broadening Focus beyond Tour de France
Jonas Vingegaard, the 2022 and 2023 Tour de France champion, has indicated a potential shift in his racing schedule, openly discussing a possible debut in the Giro d’Italia in 2026. The revelation signals a willingness to expand his competitive horizons beyond his conventional focus on the Tour, acknowledging the breadth of cycling beyond France’s grand tour.
Speaking recently,Vingegaard emphasized the appeal of races outside the Tour de France,including the Vuelta a España and prestigious one-day classics. ”Cycling isn’t just about stage races. There are also big one-day races, even for climbers like me: Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the World Championships this year or next year, Il Lombardia. Lots of great one-day races,” he stated.
The Danish rider’s comments come after a challenging 2024 season disrupted by a severe crash at the Itzulia Basque Country, which he described as a setback that cost him “a year and a half of progression.” While currently regaining his pre-crash power levels, Vingegaard acknowledged the need to close the gap on rivals like Tadej Pogačar, who has actively pursued a diverse racing calendar, winning 14 races in the past two seasons, including two editions of strade Bianche and Il Lombardia, the Tour of Flanders, and two world titles.
Vingegaard has historically prioritized stage races, participating in only Donostia San Sebastián Klasikoa and the Road European Championships in the last two years. However, he expressed a growing interest in one-day events, specifically mentioning Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the Road World Championships as future goals.
He also highlighted the logistical challenges of balancing multiple major races, noting that competing in the Vuelta would likely preclude participation in the World Championships. “It’s a compromise; if I want to do these races, I can’t do some others,” Vingegaard explained.
While no firm commitments have been made, Vingegaard’s consideration of the Giro d’Italia in 2026 marks a important indication of his intent to broaden his racing portfolio and embrace the diverse landscape of professional cycling.
