Alex MacQuoid
Jonas Vingegaard is back. After a three-month recovery from a concussion suffered at Paris-Nice, the two-time Tour de France champion is returning to competition at the Critérium du Dauphiné. And the timing couldn’t be more critical — the Tour de France is just weeks away, and the Danish star has one clear mission: to beat Tadej Pogacar and reclaim yellow in Paris.
Battle Lines Drawn at the Dauphiné
The Dauphiné, where Vingegaard has tasted victory before, serves as a pivotal testing ground. Not only is it his first race since the crash, but it’s also the opening act in his two-part showdown with Pogacar. The Slovenian sensation has been on a tear this spring, including a dominant Giro d’Italia performance, and now eyes an historic Giro–Tour double.
Vingegaard, however, remains undeterred. In an interview with Eurosport, he shared a glimpse into his mindset and meticulous preparation:
“I have always enjoyed this process of reaching the highest possible level for the Tour de France. The Tour is always the big goal and I love working hard in training camp.”
He spent the bulk of May in Sierra Nevada fine-tuning his form alongside Visma teammates — not far from where Pogacar, Remco Evenepoel, and other heavyweights were also sharpening their weapons.
“I Have to Be Better Than I Was Two Years Ago”
With the level of competition rising every season, Vingegaard acknowledges that yesterday’s standards won’t cut it in 2025. The Dane reflected on the need to evolve beyond the rider who won the 2023 Tour:
“Everyone is stepping up, so I have to be better than I was 2 years ago. Last year I also had the feeling I could fight for the victory, but obviously it wasn’t like that.”
That candor reflects a rider who has learned from setbacks. Despite a rough start to the season, he now reports significant improvements in both physical condition and training response:
“This year I feel completely different, both in how my body responds to training and how I feel physically.”
Also read: Dauphiné 2025 Full Preview and Top Contenders
France Awaits the First Test
The Dauphiné will not only test Vingegaard’s current form — it will also offer an early glimpse into how the likely Tour favorites are shaping up. With Simon Yates recently winning the Giro with a stellar final week in the mountains, momentum is building on all sides.
Vingegaard’s performance next week will provide crucial insight into whether he’s ready to match — and perhaps surpass — Pogacar when it counts most. The road to Paris begins here.