In a significant development in the cycling world, Jonas Vingegaard has announced that he will not participate in the 104th edition of the Tour de Catalogne, scheduled from March 24 to 30, 2025. The announcement was made by his team, Visma-Lease a bike, on their social media channels on March 19. They stated, “Jonas Vingegaard ne s'est pas encore suffisamment remis de sa chute lors de Paris-Nice. Par conséquent, il ne prendra pas le départ de la Volta Ciclista à Catalunya. Nous lui souhaitons un prompt rétablissement!” which translates to “Jonas Vingegaard has not yet sufficiently recovered from his fall during Paris-Nice. Therefore, he will not start the Tour de Catalunya. We wish him a speedy recovery!”
Vingegaard’s withdrawal follows an unfortunate incident during the Paris-Nice race, where he had to abandon after the fifth stage due to a fall. Although he sustained an injury to his hand, he fortunately did not suffer any fractures. However, he felt that he was not in the right condition to participate in the next stages of the highly competitive event.
His absence is particularly notable as the cycling community had anticipated a thrilling competition involving Vingegaard, who is a two-time Tour de France champion, and his main competitor, Tadej Pogacar from UAE Emirates. Pogacar, who has opted to focus on the classic season this year, will not appear in the Tour de Catalogne either. His decision, coupled with Vingegaard’s exit from the race, positions Primoz Roglic, riding for Bora-Hansgrohe, as the favorite. Roglic has recently secured wins at the last Tour of Spain and the 2023 edition of the Tour de Catalogne, making him a formidable contender.
As of March 18, 2025, the UCI rankings show the impact of Vingegaard's absence. Tadej Pogacar continues to lead the pack robustly with 12,080 points, significantly ahead of Jasper Philipsen from Alpecin-Deceuninck, who holds second place with 5,125 points. Remco Evenepoel from Soudal Quick-Step follows closely with 5,064 points. Meanwhile, Jonas Vingegaard has dropped to ninth place, accumulating 2,996.57 points after his withdrawal from the Paris-Nice.
Vingegaard’s ranking descent reflects the challenges he has faced so far in the current season. Having once been a top competitor in the rankings, he now runs the risk of slipping out of the top ten altogether, especially with more cycling events on the calendar. This has raised concerns about his status as he heads into the 2025 cycling season.
Despite not racing, Pogacar’s impressive performance in earlier races this season, including two victories, has solidified his rank and dominance in cycling. He has a commanding lead in points—almost 5,000 ahead of second-place Philipsen. As he prepares for Milan - San Remo on March 22, 2025, cycling aficionados are eager to see if he can further distance himself from rivals and confirm his stronghold atop the UCI rankings.
The cycling community is bracing for the upcoming Tour de Catalogne, particularly with several top competitors sidelined. A race once expected to showcase Vingegaard and Pogacar's rivalry is now poised to spotlight Roglic and other athletes who can seize the opportunity in their absence. As competitive cycling continues to evolve, the impacts of injuries and recoveries will undoubtedly play a critical role in shaping the narratives of the season.
With Vingegaard out due to his injuries and Pogacar focusing on other aspects of his racing season, the competitive landscape remains dynamic. As fans await the unfolding of events at the Tour de Catalogne, the upcoming races will be pivotal for these athletes, particularly for those who are vying to take advantage of the situation and possibly secure rankings that could redefine their careers.
