"Last year, we were on the brink of outsmarting Tadej Pogacar," remarked the sports director of Team Visma, confidently asserting that Jonas Vingegaard’s participation in the 2026 Giro d’Italia is not merely a diversion from their primary focus on the Tour de France. Instead, this strategy is being framed as the most promising approach to alter the outcome of a rivalry that has seemed stagnant for two consecutive summers.
Throughout every discussion regarding Vingegaard’s racing schedule, the Tour has remained a constant focal point. What has evolved, however, is Visma’s recognition that their previous strategies, although consistently competitive, have proven insufficient to overcome Pogacar when he is at his peak. Rather than clinging to a formula that has delivered podium finishes but failed to secure the coveted yellow jersey, the team is actively choosing to introduce new variables into their approach.
This context informs Grischa Niermann's candid evaluation of the rivalry as it stood last July, capturing sentiments expressed in interviews collected by IDL Pro Cycling. "Last year, his post-race interviews indicated that we were close to cracking Tadej," Niermann stated, referencing Pogacar's visible fatigue during the Tour. The underlying message is clear: Visma does not believe they had the upper hand at that moment; rather, they saw enough potential to warrant an adjustment in their strategy instead of simply lowering their expectations.
Why Including the Giro is Part of the Solution
On the surface, the dual focus on both the Giro and the Tour might seem like a gamble that could jeopardize Visma’s ambitions for July. However, internally, the team’s hierarchy remains steadfast. "Our goal continues to be winning the Tour, which is the premier race in the world," Niermann emphasized. "Overcoming Tadej in the Tour is our ultimate aim."
The Giro serves as a strategic tool rather than an alternative goal. Niermann clarified that Visma believes Vingegaard can still reach his peak later in the season. "We are confident he can perform even better in the Tour than in the Giro," he stated, highlighting that the Italian race is not seen as the final destination.
This confidence is rooted in Vingegaard’s past performance rather than mere speculation. The team consistently points to instances where he has successfully combined participation in the Tour and Vuelta, demonstrating that extended Grand Tour racing enhances rather than diminishes his abilities. "While we cannot guarantee success," Niermann acknowledged, "the data from his previous Tour-Vuelta combinations fuels our belief."
The emphasis on data is crucial. This decision is not merely an emotional reaction to past defeats against Pogacar or an attempt to replicate what Pogacar has accomplished. Instead, it reflects Visma’s commitment to applying the evidence-based approach that has underpinned Vingegaard’s rise to prominence.
Embracing Risk as a Necessity
Visma’s willingness to accept risk reveals a significant truth: repeating their previous preparation methods would likely lead to the same results. Niermann articulated this reality clearly: "We performed well, but ultimately, it wasn’t sufficient. Now, we are exploring a different path, and we must tackle it with a fresh perspective."
Their readiness to embrace risk is noteworthy. Visma is not presenting 2026 as a year for consolidation or damage control; rather, the Giro-Tour double strategy exists because they remain convinced that the Tour can still be won, rather than resigning themselves to Pogacar’s dominance as an unchangeable fact.
Niermann was cautious in detailing how Visma plans to transform this belief into a competitive advantage. "We already have some ideas, but we still need to refine them," he mentioned, providing no further specifics. This restraint is revealing. The team is not selling certainty; they are conveying their intent to pursue victory.
The gamble they are taking is genuine, and the rationale behind it is sound. For Visma, the greater risk would have been to act as if the challenges posed in the last two Tours did not necessitate a fundamentally different strategy.
