Jonas Vingegaard
Jonas Vingegaard is a Danish professional cyclist and one of the greatest Grand Tour riders of all time. Riding for Team Visma | Lease a Bike, he has won the Tour de France twice (2022, 2023), the Vuelta a España (2025), and the Giro d'Italia (2026), becoming only the 8th rider in history to win all three Grand Tours.
Personal Information
Biography
Early Life and Road to Professional Cycling
Jonas Vingegaard was born on 10 December 1996 in Hillerslev, a small village on the windswept Thy peninsula in northern Denmark. He grew up in a modest, working-class family in a coastal community more famous for fishing than sporting glory. His father first took him to watch the Tour of Denmark pass through their town, and that single moment lit a spark that would change the young boy's life.
Before cycling took over completely, Vingegaard played football. But he was small and slight, and cycling felt like a better fit. He joined his first club, Thy Cykle Ring, in 2007 at just ten years old. His path to the top was never smooth or quick. As a teenager, he combined training with early morning shifts at a fish factory in the nearby port town of Hanstholm, starting work at 4 a.m. to pack and process fish before heading out to ride his bike. He did this until the summer of 2018. "I know what it's like to work hard, so that helps me on the bike," he once said. It is a story that has become part of cycling folklore.
Breaking Into the Professional Peloton
After progressing through Danish amateur clubs, Jonas Vingegaard signed his first professional contract with Team ColoQuick–Cult in 2016. It was here that he also met his future wife, Trine Marie Hansen, who worked in marketing for the team. He developed steadily over two seasons before making the leap that would define his career: joining Jumbo-Visma in 2019.
The Danish cyclist wasted little time making his mark. In his first season with the team, he won a stage at the Tour de Pologne — a sign of real class. By 2020, he was riding the Vuelta a España, gaining Grand Tour experience. The breakthrough came at the 2021 Tour de France, where he attacked Tadej Pogačar on the legendary Mont Ventoux and finished second overall. In less than three years, the former fish factory worker had become one of the best professional road cyclists on the planet.
Tour de France Glory and Rivalry With Pogačar
The rivalry between Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogačar has produced some of the most thrilling racing of the modern era. In 2022, Vingegaard delivered a stunning performance to win his first Tour de France champion title, also taking the King of the Mountains jersey. He did not just beat Pogačar — he dominated him on the mountain stages, most memorably on the brutal climb to Hautacam. It was a historic win: the first Dane to win the Tour de France since Bjarne Riis in 1996, and only the second Dane ever.
In 2023, Jonas Vingegaard defended his title with authority. Riding for what was now called Team Visma Lease a Bike, he survived every attack from Pogačar to win a second consecutive yellow jersey in Paris. That season was so complete — he also won the Critérium du Dauphiné, the Tour of the Basque Country, and came close at the Vuelta a España — that he was awarded the Vélo d'Or, cycling's highest individual honour, as the best rider of the year. The battle with Pogačar had become the defining story of the sport.
Setbacks, Comebacks, and Continued Dominance
In April 2024, Jonas Vingegaard suffered one of the most frightening crashes in recent cycling memory. On a fast descent at the Itzulia Basque Country race, he hit the ground at high speed, fracturing his collarbone and several ribs, and suffering a punctured lung. He spent eight days in intensive care and twelve days total in hospital. "At that moment I wasn't thinking about the Tour at all," he said. "It was more important to stay alive." Many doubted he could recover in time to race that summer.
He proved everyone wrong. Vingegaard returned to finish second overall at the 2024 Tour de France, winning a stage despite the shortened preparation. Pogačar won in 2024 and again in 2025, but the Danish cyclist was never far behind. Then came 2025, and a statement result: he won the Vuelta a España, taking three stage wins and controlling the race from start to finish. In cycling 2026, the story reached a new peak. He swept through the Giro d'Italia with five stage wins and nearly five and a half minutes to spare over second place, completing a hat-trick of all three Grand Tours.
Jonas Vingegaard's Legacy in Modern Cycling
By winning the 2026 Giro d'Italia, Jonas Vingegaard became only the eighth rider in cycling history to win all three Grand Tour titles — the Tour de France, Vuelta a España, and Giro d'Italia. He joined an elite list that includes Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Vincenzo Nibali. At just 29 years old, he is the first of his generation to achieve this and the first active rider to hold the Grand Tour triple.
In Denmark, he is a national hero. A fish factory worker from a village of fewer than 500 people who became the greatest Grand Tour winner of his era. His Team Visma Lease a Bike has already confirmed he is targeting a third Tour de France title starting 4 July 2026, aiming to reclaim the yellow jersey from Pogačar. Whatever happens next, his place in the sport is already secured. Jonas Vingegaard has not just won races — he has shaped an entire generation of cycling.
Jonas Vingegaard — Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Jonas Vingegaard ?
Jonas Vingegaard stands 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) tall.
How old is Jonas Vingegaard ?
Jonas Vingegaard was born on 10 December 1996, making him 29 years old
How much does Jonas Vingegaard weight ?
Jonas Vingegaard weighs 60 kg (128–132 lbs).
Why is Jonas Vingegaard wearing a red helmet ?
He wears a custom red helmet as part of a sponsorship deal between Visma–Lease a Bike and Bygma, a Danish-owned building materials supplier, with the red-and-white design nodding to the colours of the Danish flag.
What helmet does Jonas Vingegaard wear ?
Vingegaard wears a Giro helmet — specifically a Bygma-branded, red-and-white custom version of the Giro Eclipse Pro, which Visma–Lease a Bike uses under their partnership with the Danish building supplies company.
What shoes does Jonas Vingegaard wear ?
Jonas Vingegaard races in Giro cycling shoes — primarily the Giro Imperial II for standard conditions, with the Giro Imperial AS used in wet or cold weather.
What sunglasses does Jonas Vingegaard wear ?
Jonas Vingegaard wears Oakley sunglasses — most notably the Oakley Sutro and Oakley Encoder models, chosen for their wide coverage, lightweight build, and Prizm lens clarity.
What saddle does Jonas Vingegaard use ?
Vingegaard uses an unusually small aerodynamic saddle on his Cervélo time trial bike, spotted at the 2025 Volta ao Algarve; the exact saddle model has not been officially disclosed by the team.
Is Jonas Vingegaard injured ?
As of June 1, 2026, Vingegaard is not injured — he just won the 2026 Giro d'Italia with five stage wins and is preparing for the Tour de France starting July 4, 2026.
How did Jonas Vingegaard meet his wife ?
Jonas met Trine Marie Hansen in 2016 during his time with Team ColoQuick, where Trine worked as a marketing manager for the team.
What bike does Jonas Vingegaard ride ?
Vingegaard rides a Cervélo S5 (aero model) for flat and sprint stages and a Cervélo R5 (climbing model) for mountain stages, fitted with SRAM components, Wahoo Speedplay Aero pedals, and Vittoria Corsa Pro tyres.
How many stages has Jonas Vingegaard won ?
As of June 2026, Jonas Vingegaard has won 4 stages at the Tour de France, 5 stages at the Giro d'Italia (2026), and 5 stages at the Vuelta a España, for a Grand Tour stage total of 14, plus numerous stage wins at other races.
Where does Jonas Vingegaard live ?
The Vingegaard family resides in Glyngøre, the small coastal village in northern Denmark where Jonas grew up, though he also has a base in Switzerland's canton of Ticino for training purposes.
Where is Jonas Vingegaard now ?
As of June 1, 2026, Vingegaard has just completed his victory ride into Rome to win the 2026 Giro d'Italia, and his team has confirmed he is targeting the Tour de France, which begins July 4, 2026.
Why is Jonas Vingegaard not racing ?
He is not currently sitting out — Vingegaard just won the 2026 Giro d'Italia and is now in preparation for the Tour de France starting July 4, 2026. Earlier in 2026, he delayed his season start after a training crash and subsequent illness forced him to skip the UAE Tour in February.
What is Jonas Vingegaard's VO2 max ?
His exact VO2 max has never been officially published by the team or rider. Vingegaard is described as combining an extraordinarily high VO2 max with tactical maturity, and estimated power data suggests elite-level aerobic capacity, but no confirmed figure exists from official sources.
How much does Jonas Vingegaard make ?
According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Jonas Vingegaard earns approximately €5 million per season (as of 2026), not including sponsorship deals and prize money.
Career Timeline
Jonas joined his first cycling club, Thy Cykle Ring, after his father took him to watch a stage of the Tour of Denmark pass through their hometown of Glyngøre. He had previously played football but switched to cycling.
Signed his first professional contract with Danish Continental team ColoQuick–Cult at age 19. He was still working early morning shifts at a fish factory in Hanstholm port until the summer of 2018 to fund his cycling career.
Met Trine Marie Hansen in 2016 while she worked as a marketing manager for Team ColoQuick. The couple later married and now have two children together.
Made the leap to UCI WorldTeam Jumbo-Visma. Won his first professional stage race victory on Stage 6 of the Tour de Pologne, announcing himself as a serious climbing talent at the highest level.
Made his Grand Tour debut at the Vuelta a España, riding in support of team leader Primož Roglič, gaining crucial experience at the sport's highest level.
Finished 2nd overall at his first Tour de France, behind Tadej Pogačar. Attacked on the legendary Mont Ventoux on Stage 11, shocking the peloton and announcing himself as a future Grand Tour champion. The cycling world took notice.
Won the Tour de France for the first time, also claiming the King of the Mountains jersey. Delivered a dominant performance on the climb to Hautacam on Stage 18 to seal the title. Became the first Dane to win the Tour since Bjarne Riis in 1996.
Won his first one-day race as a professional, taking La Drôme Classic and demonstrating versatility beyond Grand Tour racing.
Won a second consecutive Tour de France, defeating Tadej Pogačar in one of the most anticipated rivalries in modern cycling history. Also won the Critérium du Dauphiné, Tour of the Basque Country, and finished 2nd at the Vuelta a España with two stage wins.
Awarded the Vélo d'Or — cycling's most prestigious individual honour — as the world's best cyclist of 2023, recognising his second Tour win and dominant season-long performances.
Suffered one of the most serious crashes in recent cycling history on Stage 4 of the Itzulia Basque Country. Sustained a fractured collarbone, broken ribs, a punctured lung, and pneumothorax. Spent 8 days in intensive care and 12 days total in hospital. "It was more important to stay alive," he said.
Returned from his near-career-ending crash to start the Tour de France just 74 days later — without any racing between Itzulia and the Tour start. Won one stage and finished 2nd overall behind Pogačar in one of sport's great comeback stories.
Despite a disrupted season, won both Tirreno–Adriatico and the Tour de Pologne, confirming his status as the best stage racer in the world outside of Pogačar.
Crashed on Stage 5 of Paris-Nice while wearing the yellow jersey, suffering a concussion and hand injury. Was forced to withdraw and missed several weeks of racing, disrupting his spring programme.
Opened his 2025 season with overall victory at the Volta ao Algarve, winning the decisive final stage time trial to claim the GC title and signal his return to top form.
Finished runner-up to Tadej Pogačar at the Tour de France for the second consecutive year, putting in a stellar race as Pogačar's only serious challenger throughout.
Won the Vuelta a España for the first time, taking three stage wins (Stages 2, 9, and 20) and controlling the GC despite falling ill in the second week. Rose to 2nd in the UCI World Rankings after the victory.
Opened 2026 in dominant form, winning both Paris–Nice and the Volta a Catalunya back-to-back, signalling that he was targeting the historic Grand Tour triple — all three Grand Tours in a career.
Won the 2026 Giro d'Italia on his debut, taking five stage wins and finishing 5 minutes 22 seconds ahead of second-placed Felix Gall. Rode into Rome on June 1, 2026 wearing the Maglia Rosa to complete cycling's most exclusive achievement.
Became only the 8th rider in cycling history to win all three Grand Tours — joining Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Jacques Anquetil, Felice Gimondi, Alberto Contador, Vincenzo Nibali, and Chris Froome. The first rider of his generation to achieve this feat, and the first active rider to hold the triple simultaneously.