Tour de France<\/a> once again looking close to unbeatable. What has often been lost in that conversation is the context surrounding Vingegaard\u2019s own path back to the top.<\/p>\nEven after the horrific crash at Itzulia Basque Country in 2024 that left him in intensive care with a collapsed lung, fractured collarbone and broken ribs, the Dane still recovered in time to finish second at the Tour de France before later winning the Vuelta a Espana. His 2026 season then began with further disruption after illness delayed his start to the year, while long-time coach Tim Heemskerk and key climbing domestique Simon Yates both departed the Visma setup.<\/p>\n
From the outside, the combination of setbacks created the impression of uncertainty around both rider and team. Reef suggested that was never truly reflected internally. \u201cMaybe in that one moment certain things came together for him, and I can imagine that, from the outside, it looks like there\u2019s something going on,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The atmosphere inside the team, however, was very different. \u201cBut from speaking to Jonas at the end of last season and then seeing him at the training camp in December, we saw how motivated he was, how much he was into the team, and how much energy and good vibes he was spreading to the whole group.\u201d<\/p>\n
Why Visma believe this Vingegaard is different<\/p>\n
The significance of Vingegaard\u2019s victories at Paris-Nice and Catalunya was not simply that he won them, but how he won them. At Paris-Nice he attacked repeatedly and built a winning margin of more than four minutes overall before carrying the same level into Catalunya against another stacked field. Those performances arrived despite a disrupted winter and a far lighter race schedule than Pogacar\u2019s relentless spring campaign.<\/p>\n
Reef explained that the victories brought confidence inside the team not because Vingegaard needed reassurance, but because of the level he displayed. \u201cHe\u2019s a winner, so he was racing to win bike races that he had never won before, like Paris-Nice,\u201d Reef said.<\/p>\n
What stood out most to Visma, however, was the manner of those wins. \u201cBut the way he won it, that gave a lot of confidence to the team,\u201d Reef added. \u201cAnd it\u2019s only a week gap to Catalunya, so to win that one too by beating a lot of strong guys with a big advantage, that only gives more confidence for the period that\u2019s coming.\u201d<\/p>\n
That next period now begins at the Giro d\u2019Italia, where Vingegaard will attempt the Giro-Tour double for the first time in his career. According to Reef, the decision reflected a desire for something fresh after years spent building entire seasons around July alone. \u201cHe was looking for new motivation and a new trigger,\u201d Reef explained.<\/p>\n
Visma also believe the approach could strengthen him later in the season. \u201cAnd we were really behind that idea,\u201d Reef continued. \u201cLast year when Jonas did the Tour and the Vuelta, we saw that his level was improving slightly in the second Grand Tour, so that was an extra reason to go for it this year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Calmer, more relaxed and still hungry<\/p>\n
There is also a growing sense around Vingegaard in 2026 that he has become more comfortable with both his position in the sport and the pressure that comes with it.<\/p>\n
The rider who once gave guarded and minimal interviews has appeared noticeably more open and confident this season, something Reef believes is a natural consequence of experience and leadership. \u201cWhen you grow year by year and situation by situation, I think that it does something to a person and also to him,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Reef believes Vingegaard\u2019s growing stature inside the peloton has helped shape that evolution. \u201cAnd when you realise that you\u2019re one of the strongest riders, that boosts your confidence, of course,\u201d he explained. \u201cThis year, he\u2019s calm, he\u2019s confident, and he\u2019s more relaxed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite everything Vingegaard has already achieved, Reef insisted the hunger inside the team remains unchanged. \u201cBut above all, with this approach that we are having this season, he\u2019s really, really motivated,\u201d he said. \u201cHe\u2019s been in cycling a long time, he\u2019s already won a lot, but he\u2019s still very, very hungry\u2026\u201d<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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