Vingegaard Celebrates Historic Grand Slam Amidst Pogacar's Dominance
Jonas Vingegaard has made history by completing a grand slam of Grand Tours, joining an elite group of champions who have triumphed in the tours of Italy, France, and Spain. The 29-year-old Dane now stands alongside legends like Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Alberto Contador. Vingegaard expressed his emotions, stating, "It is a special day for me," and acknowledged the support from his family. This remarkable achievement comes after Vingegaard faced life-threatening injuries from a severe crash in the Basque Country in 2024, where he sustained multiple fractures and a punctured lung. Reflecting on his recovery, he noted, "I feel like I’ve spent the last two years fighting my way back." Despite his significant victory at the Giro d'Italia, which he won by over five minutes, Vingegaard's success occurred in a field missing top competitors such as Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel. As he prepares for the upcoming Tour de France, Vingegaard's resilience remains evident, stating, "If you don’t come out of a Grand Tour completely on your knees, then you have something to build on." Vingegaard dominated the Giro, winning five summit finishes, while Felix Gall, who finished second, remarked, "I’m not sure Jonas really worried about me. He is clearly on a different level." Despite his impressive record, Vingegaard still operates in Pogacar's shadow. His consistency is notable, with recent wins including Paris-Nice, Volta a Catalunya, and the Vuelta a España. However, the significance of the Tour de France looms large, and Vingegaard recognizes the need for Pogacar to falter for him to claim another title. As Vingegaard trains in Tignes, Pogacar and Evenepoel are honing their climbing skills in southern Spain. Meanwhile, Geraint Thomas faced a mixed first Grand Tour as director for Netcompany Ineos, with their leader Thymen Arensman slipping to fourth overall.
Source: The Guardian Sport - 2026-06-01