"Given the circumstances, I can live with this result": Matteo Jorgenson secures a hard-fought eighth place at Strade Bianche

Team Visma | Lease a Bike riders Matteo Jorgenson and Wout van Aert both finished in the top ten at this year's Strade Bianche. After 203 grueling kilometers, including 64 kilometers of unpaved gravel sectors, the duo crossed the line in Siena well behind the unstoppable race winner, Tadej Pogacar. Jorgenson fought his way to eighth place, while Van Aert sprinted to tenth, closing out a demanding day on the white roads of Tuscany.

The race started with plenty of action. After just over half an hour of racing from Siena, an early breakaway formed. This group of nine included 21-year-old Belgian rider Tim Rex, who is riding his first season with Visma’s WorldTour squad after stepping up from their development team last year.

The escapees were not given much of an advantage. With UAE Team Emirates - XRG setting a high pace in the peloton, the breakaway was caught with just under 80 kilometers remaining. Despite the catch, Rex enjoyed his debut at the prestigious Italian classic.

"It was a tough race, but I had fun," he said in an official statement shared by the team. "At the foot of Monte Sante Marie, the peloton came flying past us. I tried to hold on for a moment, but that’s where I hit my limit. I was already very happy to get the chance to start this beautiful race. It was a great experience."

Shortly after the breakaway was caught, the riders hit the Monte Sante Marie sector. This 11-kilometer stretch of gravel with steep climbs has often been the key moment in previous editions, and this year was no different. Tadej Pogacar launched a massive attack and set off on a long solo effort toward his third consecutive victory in Siena.

Behind the world champion, a strong chasing group formed. Jorgenson was among the riders making a good impression, beginning the chase alongside Tom Pidcock, Isaac Del Toro, Romain Grégoire, and Paul Seixas. A larger chasing pack, which included Van Aert, soon caught up to them. For a long time, this big group tried to close the gap to Pogacar, but they never got any closer.

Eventually, the chasing group split again, leaving a selection of seven riders, including Jorgenson, to battle for the remaining podium spots. While Pogacar rode unchallenged to the win, Seixas and Del Toro managed to attack the chase group to secure second and third place.

After a grueling finale, Jorgenson crossed the line in eighth, with his teammate Van Aert fighting hard to take tenth place. For Jorgenson, the top-ten finish was a relief after dealing with mechanical issues at the worst possible time.

"I’m satisfied with eighth place," Jorgenson explained afterward. "At a crucial moment I had a flat tire, but fortunately Pietro [Mattio] was nearby to give me his bike. I’m extremely grateful to him for that. Shortly after, I was able to switch bikes, just before Monte Sante Marie. By that point I had already spent a lot of energy getting back, so I mainly tried to follow the high pace. After that, I decided to give everything and see where it would take me. Given the circumstances, I can live with this result."