NICE, France – Jonas Vingegaard of Visma-Lease a Bike has emphatically won Paris-Nice, securing a dominant victory and signaling his strong form ahead of a busy season that includes a debut at the Giro d’Italia. The two-time Tour de France champion finished the race with a commanding lead, a performance that has reshaped the narrative of the early spring cycling calendar.
Vingegaard completed the week-long race with a remarkable margin of 4 minutes and 23 seconds over Dani Martinez (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), the largest winning margin since 1939 and the fourth biggest in the history of the event. The Dane’s success was built on strong performances in the mountains earlier in the week, culminating in a second-place finish on Sunday’s final stage behind Bahrain Victorious’ Lenny Martinez.
Martinez followed Vingegaard’s attack approximately 20 kilometers from the finish line, and the pair collaborated effectively until the final kilometer, with Martinez ultimately taking the stage win in a sprint finish. Despite not winning the stage, Vingegaard’s performance solidified his overall lead and confirmed his status as the clear favorite throughout the race.
Beyond the overall victory, Vingegaard also secured the best climber’s polka-dot jersey and, surprisingly, the best sprinter’s green jersey, demonstrating his versatility throughout the race. Georg Steinhauser of EF Education-EasyPost rounded out the podium in third place overall.
This victory marks a significant turnaround for Vingegaard, who was forced to withdraw from Paris-Nice last year due to a crash. His performance this year underscores his resilience and determination as he prepares for a challenging season.
Vingegaard’s dominant breakaway victory on the hilly fifth stage was a key moment in establishing his control over the race. The performance showcased his climbing prowess and signaled his intent to contend for the overall title. As noted in analysis by Danish cycling icon Brian Holm, Vingegaard’s strength “surprised” even seasoned observers of the sport.
The 29-year-traditional’s success at Paris-Nice is particularly noteworthy as he steps up his preparations for the Tour de France, where he will face stiff competition from rivals like Tadej Pogačar. Having been soundly beaten by Pogačar in the toughest climbs in previous Tours, Vingegaard appears determined to address those weaknesses and challenge for a third Tour crown.
However, Vingegaard’s ambitions extend beyond the Tour de France. He is also set to make his debut at the Giro d’Italia in May, aiming to achieve the rare feat of winning all three Grand Tours – the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and the Vuelta a España. He already has victories in the Tour de France (2022, 2023) and the Vuelta a España (2023) to his name.
The race wasn’t without its moments of tension. Outside of the competition on the road, an altercation occurred after a stage involving Matteo Jorgenson, as reported by Outside Magazine, though details remain limited. This incident highlights the competitive intensity within the professional cycling world.
Looking ahead, the 113th Tour de France is scheduled to begin on July 4th. Vingegaard’s performance at Paris-Nice suggests he will be a strong contender for the yellow jersey, but the road to Paris will be long and challenging. His ability to maintain this level of form throughout the season will be crucial to his success.
The final stage of Paris-Nice, as reported by HLN, was anticipated to be a thrilling spectacle, with Vingegaard aiming to secure his overall lead. Sporza reported live coverage of the stage, highlighting the opportunities for attackers, punchers, and general classification contenders. Wielerflits.be noted that Vingegaard was poised to set the finishing touches on his victory in the challenging final stage.
With Paris-Nice now concluded, Vingegaard will turn his attention to the upcoming races and continue his preparations for the Giro d’Italia. His dominant performance in France has undoubtedly established him as a leading contender for the Grand Tour titles this season.
The next major checkpoint for Vingegaard will be his participation in the Giro d’Italia, starting in May. Fans can follow updates on his progress and the race schedule through official team channels and cycling news websites.
