It’s been part a 12 months since Jonas Vingegaard ultimate took on a certified race, with the Dane calling an early finish to his 2024 marketing campaign after successful the Excursion de Pologne ultimate August.
Now, he is again in motion this week as he heads to the Volta ao Algarve, kicking off his 2025 season and starting the racing highway again to the Excursion de France on the lookout for a 3rd general victory.
Talking the day prior to the race, which kicks off in Portimão on Wednesday, Vingegaard mentioned he is “not searching for answers” after this type of lengthy lay-off from racing.
He additionally famous that he seems like he is made a step ahead right through a wintry weather which has noticed him keep away from coaching at altitude.
“I don’t know if I’m searching for answers. I think I’m just going to enjoy racing again,” he mentioned in a pre-race press convention on Wednesday.
“I feel like I’ve made a step. I feel strong at the moment. You never know what everyone else has done so it’s hard to compare. You just have to focus on yourself, and I’ve focussed all winter to get as good as possible.
“I have modified method and have not been at altitude camp, so it’ll be fascinating to look what that does to the form.”
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Vingegaard will head to the Algarve for the first time in his career, having opted in the last two seasons to start his year at O Gran Camiño in north-western Spain.
This week’s five-day race is the first step towards his big spring goals of Paris-Nice and the Volta a Catalunya, he said, while it’s also a chance to avoid the bad weather he’s experienced at O Gran Camiño, and a chance to do battle with former teammate Primož Roglič.
“I in point of fact like [O Gran Camiño], however I did not like the elements we have now had within the ultimate two years,” Vingegaard said. “So perhaps I sought after to take a look at one thing new and spot.
“I’m happy to be here and I’m looking forward to the race. I hope to be able to fight for the win. We have a strong team as well, and I’m not the only one who’s able to do something. We’ll go for it, for sure.
“I believe my primary opponent is the only you simply discussed,” he added after he was questioned about racing against Roglič. “It is a robust peloton right here and clearly I additionally need to be on a excellent and top degree. I am hoping so to compete with those guys for the overall classification.”
Vingegaard didn’t give away much about his possible shape heading into the race, which brings a summit finish at the Alto da Foia on stage 2 and then a 20km time trial heading up the Alto do Malhão on stage 5.
“It is been a excellent length, to be fair. I have had some excellent coaching within the ultimate 4 or 5 weeks, so I believe the form is coming alongside and I am in point of fact taking a look ahead to racing once more,” he mentioned.
“It is been some time since my ultimate race, clearly however in fact, now I am taking a look ahead to this race and my subsequent races
“Of course I miss racing. I love to race and that’s why I love this job. I’ve been training a lot but I needed the off-season early last year because of everything that happened, obviously.
“However now, I am motivated for this 12 months, particularly now for this race and the impending races. Then we’re going to see, additionally for afterward within the season.”
