“I’m happy with my performance today, and tomorrow should suit me well”: Matteo Jorgenson climbs to second overall after strong Grand Colombier ride

Matteo Jorgenson strengthened his position in the general classification at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes with a fourth-place finish on the Grand Colombier, moving up to second overall ahead of the race’s final stage. The Team Visma | Lease a Bike rider overcame a challenging day for his team, which started the stage without the ill Per Strand Hagenes and Jorgen Nordhagen.

Team Visma | Lease a Bike entered the stage with a smaller squad after Strand Hagenes and Nordhagen were forced to withdraw through illness. Despite those setbacks, the team successfully protected Jorgenson throughout a nervous stage that also saw several riders, including Paul Seixas, involved in crashes.

The Dutch squad avoided any incidents and focused its efforts on positioning its leader for the final ascent of the Grand Colombier. Jorgenson remained with the leading riders for much of the ascent and eventually crossed the finish line in fourth place behind stage winner Isaac del Toro.

“I’m happy with my performance today,” Jorgenson said afterwards. “It was a stage that became very difficult to control early on. With Jorgen and Per out, we started with a small team, but I received strong support throughout the stage.”

Jorgenson explained that his strategy on the Grand Colombier was to ride within his limits and minimise losses against the strongest climbers, a tactic that ultimately paid off. “On the final climb, I rode at my own pace and tried to get to the top as quickly as possible,” he said.

“I’m pleased to be second in the general classification now, and I’m looking forward to tomorrow. It’s a stage that should suit me well.”

With the queen stage still remaining, Jorgenson will look to defend his podium position and potentially challenge for an even higher placing in the final general classification.