Matteo Jorgenson Closing Out Spectacular Spring Campaign at Amstel Gold Race: ‘Sunday’s Course Suits Him’
“], “filter”: { “nextExceptions”: “img, blockquote, div”, “nextContainsExceptions”: “img, blockquote, a.btn, a.o-button”} }”>
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members!
>”,”name”:”in-content-cta”,”type”:”link”}}”>Download the app.
Matteo Jorgenson hopes to close out his spectacular spring campaign with an exclamation mark Sunday at Amstel Gold Race.
After sitting out Paris-Roubaix, the American sensation will race the explosive and unpredictable Dutch classic, and then take a short break ahead of a planned return to the Tour de France.
Jorgenson will be co-captain with Tiejs Benoot in the climb-riddled course across the hilly Limburg region of the Netherlands.
“We also have a huge asset in Matteo. So far he is one of the revelations of the spring after his victories in Paris-Nice and Dwars door Vlaanderen,” said Visma-Lease a Bike sport director Frans Maassen. “After a tough Tour of Flanders, he appeared not to be fully fit for Paris-Roubaix, but he has recovered. Sunday’s course should definitely suit him.”
Sunday’s 253km course is one of the most demanding on the spring calendar. Some 30 climbs are on the menu, including the Keutenberg and the double climbs of the Cauberg and Geulhemmerweg. Ever-steady Benoot will also see his chances.
“Earlier this spring, Tiesj already proved that he has good legs. He showed his shape in both Dwars door Vlaanderen and Tour of Flanders,” Maassen said. “Sunday he will be able to show himself again.”
A short pause before Tour de France buildup
The 24-year-old Jorgenson has been one of the breakout stars of the 2024 campaign.
Stunning victories at Paris-Nice and Dwars door Vlaanderen saw the Idahoan hit new levels of confidence and performance.
After team captain Wout van Aert crashed out at Dwars, Jorgenson boldly stepped into the leadership role at Tour of Flanders.
He bravely followed eventual winner Mathieu van der Poel in the winning attack up the Koppenberg, but later faded to finish 31st.
After Sunday, Jorgenson will take a short trip to the United States to celebrate with family and friends, and then return to Europe to begin preparations for the Tour de France.
“Last race of an absolutely unreal spring before a short pause in the United States,” Jorgenson said Friday.
Van Aert, Vingegaard still recovering from crashes
Visma-Lease a Bike’s Tour de France situation remains in disarray following a string of injuries and horrific crashes among several top riders.
Van Aert confirmed Thursday he will not make his highly anticipated Giro d’Italia debut with hopes of being able to fully recover in time for the Tour.
Two-time Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard underwent surgery this week in the aftermath of his horrific crash at Itzulia Basque Country earlier this month.
Team officials have yet to put a date on a possible return to training and competition for the Dane, who remains in a Spanish hospital.
Jorgenson will be expected to play a key role at the Tour, and should see the green light to chase a few stage wins, even more so if Vingegaard is not yet 100 percent or perhaps even misses the Tour entirely.
Vuelta a España winner Sepp Kuss, meanwhile, has so far avoided mishaps and crashes this spring as he quietly builds toward the Tour where he is expected to be wingman to Vingegaard.
With Vingegaard a question mark right now, however, Kuss is waiting in the wings and could be tapped to lead the team’s GC ambitions in July.
