"I can't say that I'm capable of winning a Grand Tour, but at least I want to try" - Matteo Jorgenson feels that after winning Paris-Nice again that 'it's time to set the bar higher'

Matteo Jorgenson was the defending champion of Paris-Nice, and this week he defended his title spotlessly against a strong peloton in some chaotic race conditions. His versatility and consistency, alongside great climbing legs, lead him to believe that he is even more capable now of fighting for a Grand Tour.

"It was something that I have thought about a lot during the off-season. Because last year the team asked me if it was something I wanted, to race a Grand Tour as leader. And yes, it is something in my career that now is a goal," the American told CyclingWeekly.

"I think before, it was one of those goals that seemed almost impossible. I never thought I could win Paris-Nice and now I've won twice. Now it's time to set the bar higher. I can't say that I'm capable of winning a Grand Tour, but at least I want to try. I want to work towards that," he admits.

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It was definitely a tricky week, mostly because he was joined by Jonas Vingegaard who was the main favourite and had high ambitions for the race. After a perfect team time-trial the two seemed in control of the race, but then a crash led Vingegaard to abandon - leading to worries and concerns that weren't there before. Their teaming up was also not well seen by some as Johan Bruyneel for example argued.

Jorgenson explains why it was the choice however. "I was told by Grischa (Niermann, team DS, ed.) that Jonas wanted to come here to Paris-Nice, and that it was more logical that I'd ride Tirreno. It was just before we started winter training that I called Grischa and told him that Tirreno didn’t give me the same feeling as Paris-Nice and that I was not motivated to work through the winter for Tirreno. So I asked if it was possible to come here, with Jonas, and fortunately they both agreed," he adds.

And throughout the week, not only on the bike but most importantly off the bike he felt like a true leader, in charge of some of the best domestiques in the world. "It was one of my objectives this year to really become a leader in the team and the team also asked me to do that. It's been an objective to really master leadership of the team, to give my view in the meetings, to give my opinions." After a masterful ride through the TTT, crosswinds, intermediate sprints, mountains, brutal weather and hilly stages, he came out on top.

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