Jonas Vingegaard, the two-time Tour de France winner, will not participate in the Tour de Catalogne due to lingering effects from a crash he suffered during the Paris-Nice race. His team, Visma-Lease a Bike, officially announced that Vingegaard, who is still recovering, will miss this major event, which is set to start on March 24, 2025.
The decision comes after Vingegaard had to abandon the Paris-Nice race shortly before the sixth stage due to injuries sustained from a crash on March 13. During the fifth stage of that race, Vingegaard struggled to finish, unable to join in the final climb where Lenny Martinez took victory.
The Tour de Catalogne, now in its 104th edition, features a challenging route with three summit finishes and will conclude in Barcelona, transitioning from the initial stage around San Feliu de Guixols.
Reportedly, Vingegaard’s absence is felt not only on the road but also in the competitive lineup, as both he and reigning champion Tadej Pogacar will not be racing. Pogacar has opted instead to focus on the classics season, leaving the stage clear for other cyclists like Slovenia's Primoz Roglic to emerge as the frontrunner.
Pogacar's decision reflects a strategy focused on upcoming classic races, which highlights the evolving dynamics of professional cycling. Roglic, the reigning champion of the last Volta a Espana and the 2023 Tour de Catalogne victor, is now considered a primary contender in the absence of both potent rivals.
The team set to compete at the Tour de Catalogne in Visma-Lease a Bike includes notable riders such as Sepp Kuus, Steven Kruijswijk, and Simon Yates. Their line-up aims to maintain competitiveness despite Vingegaard's notable absence.
During the announcement made on March 19, the team expressed their wishes for Vingegaard’s speedy recovery, emphasizing their hopeful outlook despite the setback: "Jonas Vingegaard has not yet sufficiently recovered from his fall during Paris-Nice. Therefore, he will not start the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya. We wish him a speedy recovery!"
This development marks a concerning trend for Vingegaard, who has faced a challenging start to 2025. After enduring a difficult year where he was overshadowed by rival Tadej Pogacar during the Tour de France, this latest injury disrupts his plans for achieving a third consecutive Tour de France title.
As professional cycling continues, fans will closely watch the progression of Vingegaard's recovery and future races. The competition remains fierce as each team gears up for the Tour de Catalogne, with eyes on how the absence of such key riders might shift the balance and favor new challengers amidst the stirring action poised for the week ahead.
In summary, with the main favorites stripped from the lineup, including both Vingegaard and Pogacar, the coming Tour de Catalogne is set to be an unpredictable arena for lower-profile riders to stake their claim on the podium.
Confirmed to begin on March 24, the Tour de Catalogne will offer live coverage on Tipik for cycling enthusiasts eager to witness the unfolding drama over four stages.
