PARIS – Jonas Vingegaard, the two-time victor of the Tour de France, recently shared that he endured a concussion following an accident in the Paris-Nice race earlier this month. In an interview with Danish outlet BT, the 28-year-old cyclist from Denmark discussed his recovery and return to training.
“I was back on my bike for the first time on Thursday, and I’m proceeding with caution,” Vingegaard stated.
Initially, it was reported that the crash during the fifth stage of the Paris-Nice race had injured his left hand. However, the leader of the Visma-Lease a Bike team had not previously disclosed the head injury he sustained.
“Immediately after the crash, I felt dizzy, and following the stage, I experienced severe nausea and extreme fatigue, which persisted for several days,” he revealed in an interview released on Monday.
After the incident, Vingegaard withdrew from the remainder of the week-long race and has also pulled out from the upcoming Catalonia Volta.
This year, Vingegaard is focused on securing his third Tour de France title. This prestigious event is scheduled from July 5 to July 27.
His next competitive appearance is expected at the Critérium du Dauphiné in June, a challenging precursor for many athletes aiming to compete in cycling’s top-tier event.
“We’re approaching my recovery one day at a time, letting the rehabilitation process guide any necessary adjustments or additions to my training schedule,” he remarked.
Last year, Vingegaard finished as the runner-up at the Tour, trailing over six minutes behind winner Tadej Pogacar. His preparations for the world’s most prominent cycling race were notably disrupted in April 2024 due to a crash that resulted in a broken collarbone, fractured ribs, and a collapsed lung.