Jonas Vingegaard, the 29-year-old Danish cyclist from Visma-Lease a Bike, retained the pink jersey during the rest day on Monday, May 25, 2026, as the Giro d'Italia enters its decisive final week.
Vingegaard secured his overall lead after winning the first major mountain stage on Saturday.
He addressed reporters in an online press conference to discuss his standing and long-term goals.
"It is a special race and so far a great experience," said Vingegaard.
The race leader noted that his physical condition has stabilized after a temporary illness earlier in the competition.
He stated that stages 9 and 10 were the most affected, but since then he has not felt any impact.
Balancing Giro and Tour de France
Vingegaard acknowledged that his strategic planning accounts for the upcoming Tour de France in July. "Of course I think long-term about the Tour de France," he said.
He explained that multiple Grand Tours in a single season historically benefit his performance.
"We saw that my level became higher in the second Grand Tour of the season, and we hope that again for the Tour.
I think the Giro can help me for the Tour."
To maintain condition for later competitions, Vingegaard intends to manage his energy across the remaining mountain stages.
"That's why I don't want to go full gas every stage now.
The third week is by far the hardest in this Giro, and I want to do justice to this race."
Despite a measured approach, he emphasized that his team will remain aggressive when opportunities arise.
"There are still plenty of stages I can choose from in the third week. I'm not going to tell which ones we've marked.
We'll pick our moments. I'm not going to ride only defensively, that's for sure."
He expressed optimism about his form while signaling that overall victory requires continued focus until the final day.
"You'll see," he remarked with a smile.
Responding to Rivals and Future Plans
Reacting to comments from competitors like Felix Gall, who suggested the general classification is already decided, Vingegaard remained cautious.
"I can have a bad day, I can fall, I can get sick. But if they think it's already decided, I can benefit from that."
Reflecting on his career after a severe crash in 2024 that caused multiple fractures and a collapsed lung, Vingegaard evaluates his future season by season.
"This is my eighth year as a pro cyclist, and I don't see myself continuing until I'm 35.
I turn 30 this year. I take it year by year, but at the moment I don't see myself stopping.
As long as I enjoy it, I'll keep riding."
He dismissed recent speculation from former Danish cyclist Bjarne Riis about a potential transfer to Netcompany-Ineos. "I don't see myself changing teams in the coming years."
Vingegaard concluded by reviewing the upcoming route.
The next stage departs Tuesday toward a mountain finish in Carì, featuring an 11.7-kilometer climb with an average gradient of 7.9 percent.
He noted that the final week includes very tough stages in the Dolomites before the final ride to Rome.
