So the norm in Denmark, when athletes win something big, is that they will get a celebration at the City Hall in Copenhagen. Everyone, from the 1992 European footy champs, over Mr. 60 %-Riis in 1996 to Jonas and Mads the last couple of years, have been standing on the balcony and waving to people at the plaza. Afterwards the tradition is, that they are treated to crepes from the city hall canteen (which are not that special, but are kind of a sign that “you made it”).
This year however, Jonas denied the invitation after his Vuelta triumph, citing rest and focus on ECs as reason. However, he has now accepted a victory celebration in his hometown Skive (the closest bigger town to his smaller real hometown) with the mayor. And they are not serving him pseudo-fancy crepes, but his favourite sandwich from the local Kebab-shop in his hometown. I am from copenhagen, and as much as i would like to take my kids to see their hero in our main square, it makes me like JV even more, this whole “man of the people” thing. Denmark has, as most countries, a cultural gap between metropol and periphery that plays out in various cultural and political hot button issues. The fact that Jonas now takes a stand in that for his home town makes me like him even more.
