The 29-year-old Vingegaard has never before lined up at the start of the Giro d’Italia. That will change in a few months. His overall win in the Vuelta a España has reignited the dream of achieving a rare Grand Tour trilogy. “Of course that played a role in my decision”, Vingegaard explains. “I have already won in France and Spain. Now I want to do the same in Italy.”

The Dane can look back on a strong season. He triumphed in the Vuelta a España and finished second in the Tour de France. “It was a good year, but not exceptional”, he says candidly. “I have already won the Tour twice. For me, a truly successful season still depends on winning the Tour. Celebrating another victory in Paris is something I continue to dream about.”

Before Vingegaard arrives in Barcelona in early July, where the Tour de France will start with a team time trial, an attractive spring program awaits. The Dane opens his season in the Middle East with the UAE Tour and works his way up to the Giro d'Italia via the Tour of Catalonia. 

“I have been thinking about riding the Giro for a while now”, Vingegaard tells. “It’s one of the biggest races on the calendar, and it’s also one I have never done before. I really want to experience it, and now feels like the perfect moment. Winning the Vuelta last fall only gives me more motivation to go all-in for victory in Italy as well. I would love to add the pink jersey to my collection."

For Vingegaard, this represents a different approach to the Tour de France, the main goal for both Team Visma | Lease a Bike and its leader this summer. “Over the past five years, my build-up to the Tour has been largely the same. This time we have chosen something new. The organization has designed a great course for the Giro. Perhaps not as demanding as in recent years, which makes combining the Giro and the Tour a favorable option for us.”

With two overall victories and three second-place finishes, Vingegaard has been consistently successful in his five Tour de France appearances. “Winning it for a third time would be incredible. Of course it will be difficult, though it may be more exciting than the past two editions”, the Dane says, referring to the course.

This year, the decisive moments of the Tour are expected to come in the final week. “That’s different from recent years. The time gaps might be smaller as a result. Still, we will need to be sharp right away for the team time trial in Barcelona. That’s a discipline we invest a lot of time in as a team, and it will be a special way to start the race.”

“As for what comes after the Tour, that really depends on how I’m feeling”, Vingegaard concludes. “The focus is fully on the Giro first and then the Tour. Those are my main goals. And for those, I’m extremely motivated.”