"He's feeling a bit sick": Visma Lease a Bike dealt another blow as Matteo Jorgenson battles injury and illness
CyclingThursday, 16 July 2026 at 06:00
Matteo Jorgenson's 2026 Tour de France has gone from difficult to more complicated, with Team Visma | Lease a Bike confirming the American is now dealing with illness in addition to injuries sustained in a crash.
A difficult Tour so far
The 27-year-old, one of Jonas Vingegaard's key mountain domestiques, has struggled throughout the opening week of the race, particularly in the extreme heat. Jorgenson admitted after the opening mountain stages that the conditions had taken a heavy toll.
"It's a very hard Tour de France. I can't immediately remember a tougher edition. This is definitely the hottest one. The heat has a very bad effect on me. I've always been more of a cold-weather rider."
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Despite feeling better in the days leading into the first rest day and managing to conserve more energy, Jorgenson's race took another setback during stage 10 to Le Lioran.
He crashed on the descent of the Puy Mary at the same corner where Tom Pidcock also went down. Although he suffered several abrasions, the American was able to remount and finish the stage.
Visma | Lease a Bike sports director Marc Reef downplayed the consequences of the crash. "Is he suffering a lot from it? At the moment, no. He was able to continue. He has some abrasions, but that's all."
Matteo Jorgenson on stage 10 of the 2026 Tour de France
Illness adds to the challenge
However, fresh concerns emerged ahead of stage 11 when Jorgenson did not travel to the start with the rest of the team. Instead, he was driven separately by car, prompting speculation about his condition.
Reef later confirmed that the American is currently unwell. "He's feeling a bit sick. As a precaution, we're keeping him a little separated. It's difficult to say much about it. We'll have to see how it develops."
Jorgenson entered this year's Tour after finishing eighth overall in his debut with Visma | Lease a Bike in 2024 and 19th last season. After ten stages, however, he sits 27th in the general classification and has barely been able to support Jonas Vingegaard in the high mountains so far.
Félix SernaCycling Journalist
Félix Serna is a writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2025. He covers professional cycling across both the men’s and women’s calendars, with a focus on UCI rankings, race developments, and rider performance. His work includes interview-based reports, liveblogs, and tournament coverage designed to provide clear, accurate context throughout the season.
In his reporting, Félix regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical reference. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. He holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies.
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- In this Tour, though, allowing Jorgensen up the road would be more like allowing Wout to get in the breakaway at the previous Giro. Whatever their feelings about Jorgensen it could be a big mistake to let him go.Hills3316-07-2026
- I've read several articles that say Jorgensen isn't well liked in the peloton. And he pissed off UAE with his behaviour at a feed station last year. UAE wont let him go up the road and he's not much use to Vino otherwise so why have him in the team. He shot himself in the foot by being a prick.Santiago16-07-2026
- UAE's job is to win. not be polite. Movistar is just sore because their big signing, Uijtdebroeks, is a total fraud.mij16-07-2026
- if he is unwell why is he racingmij16-07-2026
- He’s been chasing down Jorgensen for a few years now. I don't think changing his behavior now would make much of a difference. The peloton has most likely noticedRidesHills16-07-2026
- Your reading skills are lacking! No where did my statement say I hated Pogi. I only referred to the fans booing YOU !frieders316-07-2026
- When you consider the precedent (Armstrong chasing down Simeoni), there is an argument that Pogačar should have been more careful so as not to do actions which would encourage a comparison.
Rafionain-Glas16-07-2026 - Well, it is certainly less boring than something like stage 3 (a mountain bunch sprint where you already know who wins)Rafionain-Glas15-07-2026
- They're only going after him because they know it doesn't take that much of their horsepower to get him. They're just too good to take risks.Veganpotter15-07-2026
- I'm certain Pogi knows he's already done that.Veganpotter15-07-2026
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