From the very first pedal stroke
Jonas Vingegaard isn’t the type who fills his life with endless racings outside the main events. He’s widely regarded as one of the Tour de France’s most reserved champions in recent years, yet he’s a double winner who brings value to any race, especially when he opens the season in Galicia, a choice he himself announced. The Great Road, a Galicia milestone crafted by former pro racer Ezequiel Camiira, is set to run from February 22 to 25, inviting riders to test early form on a demanding course.
Vingegaard arrives in Galicia wearing the number one, having signed on for the event’s second edition nearly a year ago. The race, known as O Gran Road, aims to crown four stage wins. He already bagged three, and if not for the snow that forced the opening day to be canceled, he might have claimed the full set.
A career launched at the first push of the year
Contemporary cycling stars aren’t content with a single focus on the Tour. Legends like Miguel Induráin, Alberto Contador, and Chris Froome broke that mold early, pushing hard from the first pedal stroke to put their ambitions on the line before earning Tour glory.
Vingegaard follows that discipline. Some describe him as a cycling monk, balancing family life with focused training in Tenerife, a brief stint of sessions in Málaga, and a carefully chosen race plan. This year he will race with just 25 days on the bike, spread across four stages in Galicia, seven in Tirreno–Adriatico, six in Itzulia, and eight in the Critérium du Dauphiné.
Shall we comment on or study this edition? What are your thoughts? Zen mode. •
— O Gran Camiño (@ograncamino_igt) January 23, 2024
In essence, the program mirrors the 2023 edition with notable updates. Tirreno–Adriatico returns in March, Paris-Nice remains on the calendar with its traditional dates in early March, a pairing that some observers find puzzling for the professional calendar’s balance.
What stands out is the strategic dynamic. Vingegaard anticipated a dominant glow toward the 2023 Tour, while his Slovenian rival Pogacar chose Paris-Nice last minute, leaving spectators to watch from behind as Pogacar trailed the Dutchman’s lead. That season’s sole defeat for Pogacar came under pressure, with a second place at the Vuelta partly reflecting team decisions and respect for teammate Sepp Kuss rather than a lack of power. As this season unfolds, Vingegaard seems intent on revisiting the 2023 arc with a focus on settling any outstanding matters in the Tour that follows.
A focused lifestyle, a dedicated cyclist
“I have no hobbies beyond cycling. I spend my free time with my wife and daughter,” he told Danish reporters in several interviews this month. His training philosophy is simple: stay lean, stay sharp. Standing 1.75 meters tall and weighing around 60 kilograms, his routine leaves little room for social outings, late nights, or television spectacles. The choice is clear—this is a man who lives to ride.
The plan is straightforward: pursue daily victories, whether through stage triumphs or overall wins. The journey begins in Galicia with four stages. O Gran Road could deliver wins in three of them: a 14.8-kilometer time trial in A Coruña, a mountainous day worth its share of effort in Lugo, and the quintessential queen stage at Mount Aloia in Pontevedra, featuring sustained climbs and challenging grades. It’s a recipe that aligns with Vingegaard’s methodical approach to a season loaded with ambition.
Meanwhile, the calendar remains loaded for Pogacar as well, with a slate that includes Strade Bianche, Milan–San Remo, Volta a Catalunya, Liège–Bastogne–Liège, and the Giro d’Italia, before heading to the Grand Boucle with the weight of expectations on his shoulders. The evolving landscape raises questions about who can bear the cumulative effort of a modern grand tour season. Historical echoes—like Pantani’s 1998 double that collided with the era’s doping investigations—serve as reminders that endurance, strategy, and timing matter as much as power in determining the year’s outcomes.