Why does Jonas Vingegaard kiss his handlebars?

The images of Jonas Vingegaard crossing the finish line with his arms raised have become one of the most repeated scenes of the 2026 Giro d'Italia. But it has also particularly caught attention that the Danish rider kisses the handlebars of his bicycle. He did it at Blockhaus and repeated it in his other four victories in the Giro. 

The secret behind Vingegaard's gesture every time he wins

The explanation is much more personal than athletic. On the power of his bicycle, Vingegaard carries a small photograph of his family, which features his wife, Trine Marie Hansen, and their children, Frida and Hugo. Every time he kisses the handlebars, he is actually kissing that image that accompanies him during the races.

The image of Jonas kissing his handlebars has been repeated several times in the Giro, but earlier this year, during Paris-Nice, the leader of Visma Lease a Bike was already seen competing with an identical sticker placed on the cockpit of his bicycle.

The importance of family in Vingegaard's life has been highlighted on numerous occasions by those who know him best. His former coach, Tim Heemskerk, explained last year that the biggest change the Danish rider experienced did not come with his sporting triumphs, but with fatherhood. “The only thing that has really changed him is becoming a father and a family man,” he assured at the time.

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The gesture took on even more symbolism during a Giro d'Italia that ended up becoming a true exhibition of the Danish rider. Vingegaard won the final general classification with more than five minutes ahead of Felix Gall and added five stage victories, winning at Blockhaus, Corno alle Scale, Pila, Carì, and Piancavallo.

Moreover, the victory in Italy allowed him to complete one of the most important goals of his career: to win the three Grand Tours. After previously conquering the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España, the Giro was the only major title missing from his palmarès. That is why every kiss to the handlebars during these three weeks also had a special meaning, a way to share the most important moments of his career with the people who accompany him even when they are thousands of kilometers away.

Behind an image that might seem like a simple celebration lies one of the hallmarks of the Danish champion. As he adds victories and grows his legend in cycling, Vingegaard continues to remember at every finish line what support he considers the most important.