Vingegaard hasn't raced in seven months but arrives in Algarve hunting victory
What to expect as the Dane goes up against Roglič in Portugal
Although the Grand Tours are still months away, every step along the way is significant for riders like Jonas Vingegaard, as the Danish rider aims for the Tour de France later this summer.
The former Tour de France arrived in Portugal on Tuesday ahead of the Volta ao Algarve, his first race of the season and first outing since the Tour of Pologne last summer.
Since then, the 28-year-old has recuperated physically and mentally following a brutal season that saw him come back from a career-threatening crash to take second at the Tour.
After a winter of training and rebuilding, Vingegaard is taking on Algarve for the first time in his career, and he will go up against a stacked field that includes former teammate and race favourite Primož Roglič.
At a small press conference on the eve of the race, Vingegaard was asked about possible rivalry with Roglič at the five-day race.
“My main opponent is the one you just mentioned,” he said when asked about Roglič, who also uses Algarve to kick-start his 2025 season.