Jonas Vingegaard returned to CRO racing on Tuesday, 65 days after rushing to Paris as a Tour de France winner.

The Jumbo-Visma rider was congratulated by a large crowd in Copenhagen upon his return to Denmark and has been chewing over the magnitude of his achievement ever since.

"It was very overwhelming," Vingegaard admitted at a press conference the night before the CRO race. 'There were so many people, not only in the main square in Copenhagen, but from the airport all the way to the main square. It was a big, beautiful celebration, and I really enjoyed it. It was very overwhelming."

Vingegaard was originally scheduled to compete in the Tour of Denmark in early August, but the race was soon dropped from the program and it was soon confirmed that he would not travel to Wollongong for the World Championships.

Jumbo Visma's sporting director, France Maassen, later told Ekstra Bladet that Vingegaard, the second Danish Tour winner after Bjarne Riis in 1996, needed to rest.

"He's had a tough time since the Tour. He has to understand that it is difficult to win the Tour de France."

Wingegaard insisted Monday that his life has not changed much since winning the yellow jersey in July.

"Of course, people recognize you a little more on the road. But in general, it's not like anything has changed. 'I'm still the same Jonas I used to be, and my life at home is the same as it used to be. Personally, not much has changed, but of course more people recognize me."

Vingegaard spent the first few weeks after his Tour win at his home in Denmark and then traveled to Spain in early September to prepare for his return to competition in CRO races.

He will use the six-day event, which starts Tuesday in Osijek and closes Sunday in Zagreb, to prepare for Il Lombardia, the last race of the 2022 season. He will also take part in the ASO-sponsored criterium in Singapore on October 30.

"It was relaxing. I stayed home and just enjoyed life. I've been in Spain for the last one to three weeks preparing for the race," Vingegaard said.

"First of all, I needed a break after the Tour and then I wanted to start preparing for Il Lombardia... I saw the CRO race and thought it would be a good preparation for Lombardia.

Matej Mohoric and Damiano Caruso of the Bahrain Victorious crew and Geraint Thomas of Ineos Grenadiers will be in action in Croatia this week. Vingegaard spoke calmly about his goals in this race.

"I don't really have any goals. I just want to do my best. Hopefully, I'm in a position to fight for something. ...... We'll see next week," Vingegaard said.

"It's too bad the finish isn't uphill, but it's still a hilly race and there are mountains. It's a good course and I'm looking forward to it. I want to do my best. I enjoy racing.