Jonas Vingegaard’s begin to the season has been “very promising” however his coach has warned his rivals that they’ll count on “Jonas 2.0” when he begins his severe preparations for a return to the Tour de France this summer time.
The 28-year-old received the Volta ao Algarve in Portugal in his first aggressive look of the brand new marketing campaign, taking a stage win within the last day particular person time trial to safe the victory. He’ll begin Paris-Good on Sunday as the general favorite and can look to check his climbing kind within the excessive mountains round Good within the latter half of the early season stage race.
Talking to Biking Weekly, Tim Heemskerk mentioned he was delighted with Vingegaard’s win in Portugal however mentioned there’s nonetheless much more to return from the two-time Tour de France winner.
“Clearly if you win, you’ll be able to’t complain,” he mentioned. “Seeing him trip like that is already very promising, and that good condition and kind he takes now to Paris-Good. However we additionally know and must do not forget that this summer time, and likewise the Vuelta coming after that, is the spotlight of the 12 months. I’m not saying he’s not in good condition proper now, however when Jonas begins his Tour preparation, we are going to see Jonas 2.0.”
Vingegaard skipped Paris-Good final 12 months with a purpose to trip Tirreno-Adriatico, a call which in the end paid off after he took two stage wins and the general title in Italy.
Heemskerk made clear that the objective for Paris-Good this time spherical was general victory, however mentioned it was troublesome to foretell how he expects the race to play out. Final 12 months’s winner Matteo Jorgenson can also be a part of the Visma-Lease a Bike squad, which Heemskerk says will depend of their favour.
“We’ll must see how the race will develop. We’ve two riders that may deal with themselves, however there are a variety of sturdy riders that may give them a very good run for the cash,” he mentioned.
The newest race content material, interviews, options, opinions and knowledgeable shopping for guides, direct to your inbox!
Celebrating a stage win at O Gran Camiño final 12 months
(Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
Simply over 12 months in the past, Vingegaard started the 2024 season in high kind, profitable O Gran Camiño in addition to Tirreno, earlier than he was then caught up within the horrific crash at Itzulia Basque Nation which turned one of many largest speaking factors within the early phases of the 12 months.
The Dane’s accidents have been effectively documented, however he shortly returned to coaching and vowed to be on the beginning line on the Tour in July. He went on to complete second to Tadej Pogačar, earlier than wrapping up his season by profitable the Tour de Pologne.
“It takes months to really achieve muscle mass once more and get again to the explosive values which he had final 12 months earlier than Tirreno-Adriatico,” Heemskerk mentioned. “That is a course of the place on the finish of December, January, we noticed values that are like regular once more. In fact, you wish to turn into higher, however like I all the time say, when you will have a crash like that, you by no means know the way lengthy it takes.”
“I additionally must say that now we have approached it slightly bit extra relaxed,” he added. “For example not doing any altitude work now to have slightly bit additional in reserve for summer time and autumn.
“He is now actually targeted and I feel that may give him slightly bit additional within the tank for round Could time. We’ll attempt to have the most effective model of Jonas for when the Tour comes and be taught from what we’re doing now.”
Pogačar and Vingegaard each have very totally different racing schedules earlier than July. Not like the Dane, the reigning World Champion will trip many of the main Spring Classics earlier than assembly Vingegaard on the Critérium du Dauphiné in June. Pogačar has additionally been entrance and centre in a lot of the off season biking information, aided by a video of him driving the Arenberg cobblestones of Paris-Roubaix, hinting at a doable look on the cobbled Monument subsequent month.
Vingegaard, nonetheless, shouldn’t be remotely interested by what’s being mentioned or written about in relation to the 2 riders schedules, based on Heemskerk. “That could be a large energy of Jonas anyhow, as a result of realizing him like I do, he does not learn the stuff within the media, he is probably not ever on his cellphone,” Heemskerk defined. “He’s targeted on his personal issues and he doesn’t learn what’s written. However when preparation for the Tour begins, it is a very totally different Jonas.”
