Vingegaard Eyes Grand Tour Glory Amidst Retirement Plans

Jonas Vingegaard, the current leader of the Giro d'Italia, harbors significant ambitions in cycling but intends to retire before reaching the age of 35. The 29-year-old Visma rider expressed his desire to continue competing as long as he enjoys the sport, but not for another decade.

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I take it just year by year. If I still enjoy it, then I keep cycling.

Vingegaard is on track to become the eighth cyclist to win all three Grand Tours, having already secured victories in the Tour de France (2022, 2023) and the Vuelta a España (2023). This year, he has also won Paris-Nice and the Tour of Catalonia, adding to his impressive list of career wins which includes Tirreno-Adriatico, the Tour of the Basque Country, and the Critérium du Dauphiné. However, races like the Tour de Romandie and the Tour de Suisse remain unconquered.

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I do not see myself riding until I am 35 years old. I am turning 30, so it's actually not that many years from now.

"It is of course a big goal for me to win the Giro," Vingegaard stated, also mentioning his desire to win other week-long stage races. He is also focused on his upcoming Tour de France challenge against Tadej Pogačar in July. Vingegaard believes his participation in the Giro will enhance his performance for the Tour, noting that his level has improved in the second Grand Tour after completing the first in recent years.

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It is of course a big goal for me to win the Giro. But I also haven't won all the stage races over a week. Those races would also be nice to win.

"I think it can help me reach a higher level. I have seen in recent years that when I have completed a grand tour, my level has actually been higher in the second grand tour than in the first," Vingegaard explained. He is also aiming for at least one more stage victory in the current Giro, looking for opportunities in the third week while wearing the leader's pink jersey.

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I think it can help me reach a higher level. I have seen in recent years that when I have completed a grand tour, my level has actually been higher in the second grand tour than in the first.