![\"Jakob](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/jakobomrzel-689774212a3fd.jpg@webp.webp\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
That proximity, Nordhagen stressed, goes beyond simple presence in the same race. \u201cWith him in the race, we have a clear strategy and a clear role,\u201d he continued. \u201cIt motivates me to see how Vingegaard approaches things. That, combined with races where I get opportunities for myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
Learning inside the race, not just alongside it<\/p>\n
Nordhagen\u2019s exposure to Vingegaard did not begin this season. Last year, the Norwegian was repeatedly placed in the same room as the Dane during training camps, a deliberate decision by Visma to accelerate learning through observation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was done so I could learn from him,\u201d Nordhagen explained. \u201cThis year, that continues more in the races themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
How that looks on the road remains flexible. Nordhagen made clear that his role will depend on both his condition and how each race unfolds. \u201cThat depends on myself, how I feel at that moment and how the race develops,\u201d he said. \u201cIf we go for stage wins, that offers opportunities to race openly.\u201d<\/p>\n
At the same time, he acknowledged where hierarchy remains clear. \u201cJonas is the leader,\u201d Nordhagen said. \u201cMaybe we then have to control the race. But if other teams do that, I hope to stay with Jonas for as long as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
A calendar built around stage races<\/p>\n
Visma\u2019s intentions are also visible in Nordhagen\u2019s programme. His focus in 2026 is almost exclusively on stage racing, with the classics left firmly for the future. \u201cThis season I will only ride stage races,\u201d he explained. \u201cI really enjoy the classics, but that is something for later.\u201d<\/p>\n
The possible exceptions underline how selective the approach is. \u201cThe only exceptions this year might be the European Championships and the World Championships,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
That structure reflects how Visma see Nordhagen\u2019s long-term development, particularly in races that reward sustained climbing rather than repeated explosive efforts.<\/p>\n
Discovery rather than expectation in the Vuelta<\/p>\n
Among the key objectives of Nordhagen\u2019s season are the Tour de Romandie and a projected debut at the Vuelta a Espana. In Spain, Visma are expected to focus on stage wins and jerseys, with experienced leaders already identified.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a very strong team there,\u201d Nordhagen said. \u201cStevie is also riding. We are approaching it openly. If I am in good form, there will also be good learning opportunities for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
At the same time, he was careful to underline the uncertainty that still surrounds any Grand Tour selection. \u201cA lot can still happen before then,\u201d he said. \u201cThe selection might also change. If you are not good, three weeks can become a real ordeal.\u201d<\/p>\n
If selected, Nordhagen expects freedom rather than pressure. \u201cThe first time riding for a classification will be tough,\u201d he admitted. \u201cFinishing somewhere between tenth and fifteenth would already be extremely good.\u201d<\/p>\n
That ambition comes with realism. \u201cIf you have one bad day, you can also change your goal during the race,\u201d he said. \u201cIt is, above all, a great opportunity to discover a Grand Tour. I have freedom and no stress around it.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Nordhagen in action<\/p>\n
Three weeks as the next challenge<\/p>\n
Nordhagen has been open about what he sees as the biggest unknown in his development. \u201cMy biggest challenge will be racing for three weeks in a row,\u201d he said. \u201cLast year I didn\u2019t ride many long stage races.\u201d<\/p>\n
He pointed out that only the Tour de Romandie and the Tour of Guangxi offered him an extended WorldTour experience in 2025. \u201cThose were the only WorldTour stage races longer than six days that I rode,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
Still, the preparation is familiar. \u201cI do know the build-up to the Vuelta a little,\u201d he said. \u201cLast year, I was also at altitude for the Tour de l\u2019Avenir. But I just take it day by day and see how it goes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Conditions, rather than expectations, are his focus. \u201cGiven the difficulty of the parcours and the heat, I simply need to make sure I am optimally prepared,\u201d Nordhagen added.<\/p>\n
Keeping the instinct to win<\/p>\n
Alongside his WorldTour programme, Nordhagen remains part of Visma\u2019s White Jersey Group, ensuring he continues to race for victories when opportunities arise.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s part of staying in the game,\u201d he said. \u201cStatistics show that if you don\u2019t win for a few years, you forget how to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
If results do not come at the highest level, Visma have left space elsewhere. \u201cIf it doesn\u2019t work at the top level, I still have a few smaller races on my calendar,\u201d Nordhagen explained.<\/p>\n
For now, he is not rushing to define where his ceiling lies. \u201cSomewhere there is a limit,\u201d he said. \u201cI hope to get as close to it as possible. But I am very curious to see how this year goes.\u201d<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" That proximity, Nordhagen stressed, goes beyond simple presence in the same race. \u201cWith him in the race,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":429594,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[4985,9046,157363,101,36242,119130,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-429593","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cycling","tag-cycling","tag-jonas-vingegaard","tag-jorgen-nordhagen","tag-sports","tag-team-visma-lease-a-bike","tag-uae-tour","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/429593","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=429593"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/429593\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/429594"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=429593"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=429593"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=429593"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}