On the eve of the 2025 Tour de France, Visma-Lease a Bike’s leadership projected quiet confidence, framing the opening stages as an opportunity rather than a threat, and hinting at deeper ambitions beyond simply defending Jonas Vingegaard’s reputation.
The defending champion arrives in Lille with a renewed sense of strength and stability after a season disrupted by crashes, but it was the tone across the team that stood out. Matteo Jorgenson, sitting alongside Vingegaard at Thursday’s press conference, described this Tour not only as a support role but as a vital stepping stone in his own development.
“Every Grand Tour I do is a learning process, but this one especially so,” Jorgenson said. “I think learning from Jonas and just doing a Grand Tour with GC in mind, but without the same pressure Jonas has, is helpful.”
Jorgenson, whose contract was extended through to 2029, is being groomed for Grand Tour leadership in future seasons. For now, his job is to support Vingegaard while taking any opportunities that come his way.
“I can focus on my job, and then once my job is done, ride to the line, as fast as I can.”
Vingegaard back to full strength – and heavier
Vingegaard, by contrast, is back in full GC mode and declared himself physically stronger than ever. The Dane, who finished second to Tadej Pogačar at the Critérium du Dauphiné, has added muscle during his recovery and says he now has more power than in previous editions.
“Last year I was a lot lighter, with less muscle,” he explained. “I’m heavier now, but it’s muscle, and we know it gives a lot more power. I can say I’m on the highest level that I’ve ever been, and we’ll see if it’s enough or not.”
It took nearly a year for Vingegaard to recover fully from his crash at the 2024 Itzulia Basque Country, and even a concussion at Paris-Nice briefly threatened this summer’s plans. But with that phase behind him, the two-time Tour winner is ready for another battle with Pogačar.
“Obviously, being in a bed for two weeks when crashing, you lose a lot of muscle, and we try to regain that – and we succeeded,” he said, prompting a quick joke from Jorgenson: “He’s huge.”
Visma’s depth and Classics strength
Visma’s line-up blends climbing power with one-day race pedigree. Alongside Vingegaard, Sepp Kuss, Simon Yates, and Jorgenson form the core of the mountain group, while Wout van Aert, Tiesj Benoot, Eduardo Affini, and Victor Campenaerts bring depth for the first 10 days, which include multiple stages with a Classics-style profile.
“I think we have a Classics team with a few climbers along for the ride,” Jorgenson joked, before emphasising how the team plans to exploit the early chaos.
“The key to this Tour de France is getting through these first 10 days, treating them like Classics and trying to take advantage there. Once we get into the mountains, it’ll be more simple. Our strength lies in our ability to ride one-day races and be in position together and make things happen at the front of the race.”
Jorgenson dismissed suggestions the squad lacks enough climbers to support Vingegaard in the high mountains. “With Sepp, Simon, me, and Jonas, I think we can make a lot happen in the mountains,” he said.
Belief within the team
Grischa Niermann, Visma’s Head of Racing, echoed the sentiment of internal belief, noting how much stronger Vingegaard is this year compared to 2024, when his Tour preparation was far from ideal.
“If we are here saying Tadej is unbeatable, then we better go home,” Niermann said. “We believe that Jonas is in the best shape ever – it’s also necessary to be in that best shape.”
As for how Visma plan to handle Pogačar’s dominance, Vingegaard kept his cards close.
“Obviously, we are not afraid, but we have a lot of respect for him and what he can do,” he said. “Having a rival as good as Tadej also brings out the best in yourself… but if he has any weaknesses, I wouldn’t sit here and tell you.”
The internal messaging is clear: Vingegaard is back, stronger and calmer. The team around him is versatile, experienced, and unified. And with Jorgenson learning the ropes, Visma are already thinking about the next generation of Tour contenders too.
