Danish cycling star Jonas Vingegaard will launch his 2026 campaign at the prestigious Paris-Nice next month, marking a cautious but determined return to racing after a disrupted winter marked by injury and recovery.
The two-time Tour de France champion had originally planned to begin his season at the Middle East’s early calendar races. Instead, a training crash in Spain on January 26 forced a late change of schedule and weeks of rehabilitation.
Speaking through his team on Monday, the 29-year-old said he now feels fully prepared to compete again. His comeback signals the start of what promises to be one of the most closely watched seasons of his career.
“I am excited to be at the start of Paris-Nice once again,” Vingegaard said. “After crashing and falling ill, I took the necessary time to recover. Now I feel ready to start racing again.”
The race carries added meaning for both rider and team. His squad, Team Visma-Lease a Bike, returns as defending champions and aims to protect the title secured in recent editions.
Yet Paris-Nice has not always treated Vingegaard kindly. Last season, he crashed during the event and was forced to abandon before the sixth stage while sitting second overall, dealing a blow to his early-season ambitions.
At the time, teammate Matteo Jorgenson inherited leadership duties and went on to claim overall victory, underlining the team’s depth. This year, however, the roster will look different, with new tactics expected.
Vingegaard’s best Paris-Nice result remains his third-place finish in 2023. That edition was won by his long-time Slovenian rival Tadej Pogacar, while French climber David Gaudu also finished ahead of the Dane.
The race, scheduled from March 8 to 15, traditionally serves as a proving ground for Grand Tour contenders. Known as the “Race to the Sun,” its unpredictable weather and varied terrain provide an early benchmark for form and fitness.
This year’s start list suggests another stern test. Spain’s rising talent Juan Ayuso and Portugal’s consistent stage racer Joao Almeida are both expected to challenge for the general classification.
For Vingegaard, the objective is not merely victory but stability. After a winter of disrupted training, regaining race rhythm and confidence could prove just as important as standing on the podium.
Following Paris-Nice, the Dane will head to the Volta a Catalunya later in March, another demanding week-long contest that often shapes the pecking order among Europe’s elite climbers.
These early races will lay the foundation for his first major target of the year: the Giro d’Italia in May. The Italian Grand Tour presents new terrain and tactical puzzles, offering him a chance to broaden his Grand Tour résumé.
Beyond that lies cycling’s ultimate prize. Vingegaard intends to reclaim the Tour de France crown he captured in 2022 and 2023 before ceding ground in recent seasons.
His rivalry with Pogacar has defined modern stage racing, delivering dramatic duels in the mountains and against the clock. Fans are already anticipating another summer showdown between the two.
Team management believes a carefully paced schedule will allow their leader to peak at the right moments. Lessons from past crashes and illness have prompted a more conservative buildup.
“Preparation is everything,” one staff member said. “We want Jonas healthy and consistent. The biggest goals come later in the season.”
For now, Paris-Nice represents both a restart and a statement. A strong performance would confirm that his recovery is complete and that he remains among the sport’s dominant forces.
Whether he wins or simply rebuilds form, the Dane’s return adds intrigue to the early European calendar. After months away from competition, the peloton’s quiet winter will give way to renewed battles. The season begins again under the French sun — and Vingegaard is ready to chase it.