Jorgenson exceeded expectations in 2024 and has his eyes set on the future
Matteo Jorgenson experienced a 2024 season to remember. The 25-year-old American from Team Visma | Lease a Bike impressed with victories in both one-day classics and stage races. “This year, I realized my body can perform at a high level for three weeks. That was something I wasn’t sure about in the past.”
The spring already showed promise. Jorgenson triumphed in Dwars door Vlaanderen and later claimed the overall victory in Paris-Nice. “The highlight of the year was undoubtedly crossing the finish line in Nice. I rode past my apartment and realized I had won Paris-Nice. It was a completely unexpected victory and a feeling I might never surpass. Just thinking about it still brings a smile to my face”, Jorgenson shared.
His success in Paris-Nice proved to be no fluke. At the Critérium du Dauphiné, he confirmed his form with second place in the general classification. During the Tour de France, Jorgenson cemented his status as a strong stage racer, finishing eighth overall—the best performance by an American in a decade. Moreover, he played a crucial role in supporting Jonas Vingegaard, who finished second overall.
"This year was a dream in so many ways"
Jorgenson gave everything to help his Danish teammate secure a third consecutive Tour win, but it wasn’t to be. “On the Plateau de Beille, we realized as a team that we had given everything to try and win the Tour again, but it just wasn’t enough. It was a long climb, and I listened to Grischa Niermann guiding Jonas through that tough moment”, he reflected.
“This year was a dream in so many ways”, Jorgenson emphasized. “I pushed boundaries I didn’t know were possible, thanks to the team’s efforts and my commitment to sticking to the plan as closely as possible.”
Jorgenson attributes his progress to changes in his training and technique since joining Team Visma | Lease a Bike. He worked closely with a biomechanic to improve his pedaling technique. “It was like I had to forget my muscle memory or break that pattern, and it’s made a world of difference.” Off the bike, he has also grown significantly. “I’ve gotten to know myself better. I now understand what I need to be successful.”
Despite his first season full of success, Jorgenson is far from satisfied. “One day, I hope to compete for the general classification in a Grand Tour. I say that because I’ve somewhat changed my perspective this year. During the Tour, I didn’t have a single bad day. Of course, there were tougher moments, but I never cracked. Especially in the third week, I felt very comfortable. So, one day, I want to go for it. When that moment will come, I don’t know. I’m not in a hurry. For now, I can’t wait to start 2025. We have work to do”, Jorgenson concluded, motivated.
