Matteo Jorgenson, the American cycling star, is making a bold move. He's decided to shift his focus from the Grand Tour to a new challenge: winning a Monument race. But here's the twist: he's not just changing his strategy, he's also making a significant calendar adjustment. Jorgenson, who signed a long-term contract with Visma-Lease a Bike last summer, is now targeting Liège-Bastogne-Liège, a prestigious race in the Ardennes Classics, instead of aiming for a General Classification (GC) win in the Grand Tour. This decision comes after a conversation with his team bosses, who listened to his desires and helped him make a more strategic plan for his career.
The 26-year-old cyclist, who previously raced with Movistar, explains that he wants to excel in the Ardennes Classics, and to do that, he needs to train at altitude before the races. This means he'll have to skip the cobbled Classics, like the ones in Flanders, and focus on longer climbs, which he feels he's better suited for. Jorgenson's new calendar includes the World Championships in Montreal in September and the season's final Monument, Il Lombardia.
Despite this shift, Jorgenson remains committed to his long-term goal of becoming a Grand Tour leader. He believes that with the right opportunities and resources, he can achieve this in the next four years. This move is a strategic one, allowing him to explore new challenges while still working towards his ultimate cycling aspirations. It's a testament to his dedication and the support of his team that he can make such a significant change and still stay on track to achieve his goals.
