Amstel Gold Ambition: Matteo Jorgenson to Draw Double Inspiration from Van Aert

On a high after winning Paris-Roubaix with Wout van Aert, Visma-Lease a Bike is vying to keep the same momentum going with Matteo Jorgenson Sunday.

The American rider is the team leader for the Amstel Gold Race and is feeling upbeat on the eve of the race.

He completely switched up his approach to this spring, passing up the chance to win a third consecutive Paris-Nice to instead ride Tirreno-Adriatico, where he took second overall. He also swerved away from the northern classics and semi-classics to ride races like Strade Bianche and the Faun Drome Classic.

The reason for the change? To properly target the Ardennes Classics for the first time in his career, going to those events with a real hope of success.

“The Amstel Gold Race is a challenging but beautiful classic,” Jorgenson said this weekend, sounding upbeat.

“My spring has gone flawlessly so far and I feel good. Right now I’m exactly where I want to be.”

Now 26, Jorgenson rode the Dutch race just one before, netting 37th two years ago. He’s a much more experienced rider now and with Visma-Lease a Bike on a high after Van Aert’s Roubaix success and GC wins in Paris-Nice and the Volta a Catalunya with Jonas Vingegaard, the hope is the Dutch squad can pull off another huge result.

Coincidentally, Van Aert was team’s last winner of the Amstel Gold Race, tasting success in 2021.

“My goal was to start the Ardennes Classics in good shape and in good health, and I’ve achieved that,” Jorgenson said. “I opted for a different race calendar, and it’s working well for me.

“That new approach, with the Italian races, gave me a fresh boost. I’ve gained new experiences that I can carry into these important races.”

‘The race suits riders like me’

When the race rolls out of Maastrict on Sunday morning, Jorgenson will be up against a strong field. However the absence of Tadej Pogačar (UAE Emirates-XRG) and Tom Pidcock (Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling) removes two key rivals.

Also missing are Van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech), both fatigued after a heavy race programme, plus the recently-injured Isaac del Toro and Brandon McNulty (UAE Emirates XRG), recently-operated Thibau Nys (Lidl-Trek) plus his teammate Juan Ayuso.

However Remco Evenpoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) is a clear challenger, as are the likes of defending champion Matthias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek), Kévin Vauquelin (Ineos Grenadiers), Mauro Schmid (Jayco-AlUla) and Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ United).

Jorgenson he is looking forward to what is a very selective course, knowing that if his form is as good as he hopes, he will have a platform to excel.

“On Sunday, the climbs come one after another, which makes the race so tough. It’s the kind of race that suits riders like me, where I can show my strengths,” he said.

“The motivation within the team is high to fight for the win. I’ve been building toward this period for a long time, and I’m happy it’s finally here.

The 1991 champion Frans Maassen will share important experience from behind the wheel of the team car. He is convinced that Jorgenson, Cristophe Laporte, Per Strand Hagenes, Menno Huising, Ben Tulett, Axel Zingle and Filippo Fiorelli can, combined, propel the American or perhaps one of the other riders to the top of the podium.

“We have a team capable of competing for the win,” Maassen said. “Matteo has prepared well for this phase of the season and is motivated to make an impact. He’ll be supported by a strong group of riders.”

Maassen named Tulett as another who could shine.

First-ever US winner?

Jorgenson, though, is the more logical candidate and wants to make the most of his chance.

His motivation will be heighted by the fact that no US rider has ever topped the Amstel podium, and also as the Dutch event is a home race for Visma-Lease a Bike.

“It’s the biggest race in the Netherlands, and the tension always builds in the days leading up to it,” Maassen said.

“We all enjoyed Wout van Aert’s victory in Paris-Roubaix. It would be great to carry that momentum into this special week for the team.”