'It's the right time to take the pink jersey' – Jonas Vingegaard and Visma-Lease a Bike finally ready to take control of the Giro d'Italia

Jonas Vingegaard and his Visma-Lease a Bike team are poised to seize control of the Giro d’Italia as the race approaches its pivotal mountain stage on Saturday. Currently 33 seconds behind the maglia rosa held by Afonso Eulálio, Vingegaard has been biding his time while allowing breakaways to dominate earlier stages. With the challenging terrain of stage 14, featuring five classified climbs around the Val d’Aosta, the Danish rider and his team appear ready to assert their dominance and pursue overall victory. Vingegaard expressed confidence and readiness ahead of the crucial mountain day, signalling a shift in both his mindset and physical form. He emphasised the honour of wearing the pink jersey and set his sights on maintaining it through to the race’s conclusion in Rome. Supporting him, key domestique Sepp Kuss acknowledged the importance of the stage and the team’s intention to take the lead, though he suggested a measured approach rather than an aggressive early attack. Team director Marc Reef echoed this cautious optimism, highlighting that the team has been prepared to take on the favourite’s role since the start of the Giro. While acknowledging the strength of rival riders and teams, Reef confirmed that Visma-Lease a Bike has a clear plan to position Vingegaard optimally for the final climb. The team’s strategy reflects lessons learned from previous Giro campaigns, where the race leadership has often changed hands in the closing stages. Looking ahead, the Visma-Lease a Bike squad remains mindful of the unpredictable nature of the Giro, especially in its final week. Past experiences with riders like Simon Yates, Primož Roglič, and Steven Kruijswijk have shown how quickly fortunes can shift on the mountainous terrain. With Vingegaard also targeting the Tour de France later this summer, the team is balancing ambition with careful energy management as they pursue the coveted pink jersey and overall victory.