Another French Frustration: Jorgenson Close to Victory in Faun Drome Classic

Fourth on Saturday, Matteo Jorgenson went much closer to a win on Sunday when he took a close second to Romain Grégoire (Groupama – FDJ United) in the Faun Drome Classic.

It was the second time in two days he lost out to a promising young French rider, with Jorgenson dropped by the gifted 19 year old Paul Seixas in Saturday’s Faun-Ardèche Classic. He was subsequently outsprinted for second by Jan Christen (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious).

Seixas was absent Sunday. Jorgenson looked sharper in what is just his second day of racing this year, and is drawing closer to his first victory of the new season.

“Second place is obviously not what I came for, but today I was beaten by a better sprinter,” Jorgenson said afterward. “Tactically, we rode a strong race as a team. At one point we had four riders in the lead group in the finale. That numerical advantage allowed me to accelerate at the right moment, but unfortunately I just missed out on the win.”

Going for glory

Both were feeling very strong as the race neared a conclusion, and Jorgenson and Grégoire raced clear on a slight descent 17km from the finish line in Étoile-sur-Rhône. They at first fended off a chase from US national champion Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) and Jefferson Alveiro Cepeda (Movistar Team), and then a solo pursuit by Benoît Cosnefroy (UAE Emirates-XRG).

The latter was caught with 3km remaining, with the peloton drawing closer and closer and all but bridging to the leaders on the final climb inside 500 meters to go.

Martinez leaped clear in pursuit but came up just short in the final sprint to the line.

Grégoire opened his uphill gallop with about 200 meters to go and proved stronger there, taking the win by a couple of lengths ahead of Jorgenson.

It was another French frustration for the American, but he is on an upward curve and poised for a big win. He’s due to ride Strade Bianche next Saturday, and then Tirreno Adriatico.

“I’m happy with my form and the feeling in my first two races of the season,” he said. “It’s great to be on the podium right away. I’m looking forward to the upcoming Italian races on my schedule.”

Results: Faun Drome Classic