“He’s one of the best in the world for a reason" - Matteo Jorgenson learning a lot from Jonas Vingegaard at 2024 Tour de France

After Sepp Kuss was forced out of the 2024 Tour de France on the eve of the Grand Tour due to Covid, Jonas Vingegaard was left without a key domestique. Although the Dane has been unable to claim a third successive Maillot Jaune, Matteo Jorgenson stepped up in the third week to offer his team leader some brilliant service in the mountains.

“I have a lot to learn from Jonas – his mental strength, his work ethic, it’s impressive,” the Paris-Nice winner and Criterium du Dauphine runner-up told reporters following stage 20, where Vingegaard finished 2nd to Tadej Pogacar on the final climb. “He’s one of the best in the world for a reason. He works super hard and he is a very humble guy."

Jorgenson, who sits 8th in the general classification himself ahead of the final stage individual time-trial, insists that finishing 2nd is not a disappointment for his Team Visma | Lease a Bike leader. “I am proud of Jonas," the American adds warmly, referencing Vingegaard's difficult preparation for this Tour de France after a nightmare crash at the Itzulia Basque Country that left him with multiple broken bones, a punctured lung and a spell in intensive care. "To be second in the Tour de France after what he’s been through this year, it’s epic.”

“I'm really proud of this team. Literally, every single day, we fought. We did it tactically perfect. I can't think of one mistake we made, really," continues Jorgenson. “In the end, it was legs that spoke, and that's how the Tour de France should be, I think. It's the biggest test in the world, an endurance test, and, yeah, this year, Tadej Pogacar was on another level.”

With Derek Gee just 24 seconds down on Jorgenson in the GC going into the time-trial, the American won't be able to relax on the final stage as he prepares to confirm his high GC placing.