Get ready for a cycling showdown like no other! Jonas Vingegaard is setting his sights on a monumental challenge in 2026: conquering both the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France in the same year. But here’s where it gets controversial—can he pull off what only one rider has achieved since the 1990s? Let’s dive in.
The two-time Tour de France champion, Jonas Vingegaard, has officially confirmed his ambitious plan to debut at the Giro d’Italia in 2026, the only Grand Tour title missing from his impressive résumé. Visma Lease-a-Bike unveiled his packed schedule on Tuesday, which kicks off with the UAE Tour in February, followed by the Volta a Catalunya in March, the Giro in May, and culminating in the Tour de France in July. Vingegaard’s dominance in the 2022 and 2023 Tours, coupled with his Vuelta a Espana victory last year, has set the stage for this daring double attempt. Yet, the Giro has long been his elusive target—will 2026 be the year he finally claims it?
And this is the part most people miss: Tadej Pogacar, Vingegaard’s arch-rival, won’t be racing until Strade Bianche in March, meaning their paths won’t cross until the Tour de France in July. Pogacar, the only male rider since the 1990s to win both the Giro and the Tour in the same season (2024), has a packed schedule of his own, focusing on prestigious one-day events like Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège before tackling the Grand Tours. This sets the stage for a thrilling showdown in France—but who will come out on top?
Visma Lease-a-Bike is no stranger to success, having secured the Giro title in 2025 with Simon Yates, who recently announced his retirement. Meanwhile, the team’s powerhouse, Pauline Ferrand-Prevot, is gearing up to defend her Tour de France Femmes title this summer while also targeting the Vuelta a Espana, Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Tour of Flanders, and Strade Bianche Donne. After a hiatus in mountain biking, the Frenchwoman returned to the road with a bang last year, winning both the Tour and Paris-Roubaix. “I will do everything I can to defend my title,” she declared. “Last season, I was the underdog, but now I’m one of the favorites. I thrive under pressure, and I’m ready for the challenge.”
But here’s another twist: Wout van Aert, Visma’s classics star, fractured his ankle during cyclocross season in January. Despite this setback, the 31-year-old is scheduled to compete in eight races before the World Championships in September, including Omloop het Nieuwsblad, Strade Bianche, and Paris-Roubaix. He’ll then join Vingegaard at the Tour de France before heading to the Vuelta a Espana. Will his injury impact his performance, or will he rise to the occasion?
As the cycling world gears up for 2026, one question lingers: Can Vingegaard achieve the Giro-Tour double, or will Pogacar’s legacy remain untouchable? What’s your take? Let us know in the comments—this debate is just getting started!
