Vingegaard Credits Pidcock with Inspiring Vueltaโ a Espaรฑa โStrategy
Burgos, Spain – Jonas vingegaard โขrevealed today that a conversation with โขTom Pidcock sparked the tactical shift โขthat ultimatelyโ led to his victory at the 2024 Vuelta aโฃ Espaรฑa. The Jumbo-Visma rider credited Pidcock’s aggressive racing style and willingness to take risks as a key influence in his decision to launch repeated attacks in the final week โขof โคthe race, distancing himself from his rivals and securingโข the red jersey.
Vingegaard, who previously focused on controlled,โ measured efforts in Grand Tours, explained that a casual discussion with Pidcock during the off-seasonโ prompted him to reconsider his approach. “Tom is justโฆdifferent,” Vingegaard said. “He doesn’t hesitate. He sees an prospect and goes for it.I realizedโ I neededโข to โฃbe more โคlike that, to really make the race rather of just reacting to it.” This change in mindset proved crucial โas Vingegaard relentlesslyโ pressured race leader Seppโฃ Kuss โคand ultimately seized โthe lead on the โขpenultimate stage.
The revelation underscores the frequently โenough-unseen influence riders can have on each other, even across team lines. โPidcock, known for his audacious soloโ attacks and unconventional tactics, finished 12th overall in the Vuelta.Vingegaard’s victory marks โhis second Grand Tour win, adding to his 2022 Tour โdeโฃ France title, โand solidifies hisโฃ position โคasโ one of cycling’s elite competitors. The Danish champion is now expected to โfocus on preparing for the 2025 season, with a potential return to the Tour de France on the horizon.
