Matteo Jorgenson defends himself from Remco Evenepoel and comes close to Paris-Nice lead: "Remco was strong, but it was not extreme. I could respond to all his attacks"

Matteo Jorgenson is moving very close to the yellow jersey at Paris-Nice and may have put himself in the position of man to beat. Ideally for him however, the yellow jersey pressure will still be on Brandon McNulty, as Jorgenson cut the difference down at Madone d'Utelle.

“It was a day you had to get through and where I was able to get some time on Brandon [McNulty]. Both succeeded," Jorgenson said in a post-race interview. "I am super happy and ready for the last stage of the race, where anything can still happen.” The American thrived in the cold conditions and put in another strong climbing performance. He matched Remco Evenepoel's two attacks on the final climb and worked as well to distance McNulty, arriving fifth to the line alongside a strong group also containing Primoz Roglic and Mattias Skjelmose.

Hence, gaining 19 seconds on McNulty, Jorgenson moves extremely close to the race lead, with perhaps the toughest day of all tomorrow where in the steep Col des Quatre Chémins, attacks will fly and McNulty is expected to be dropped once again. The Team Visma | Lease a Bike rider has succeeded in both his goals for the day with this strong performance.

“Remco was strong, but it was not extreme. I could respond to all his attacks," he details. "In the end he took some bonuses, but I had led the last kilometer to gain some time on Brandon. So yes, I have faith in tomorrow. Overall victory in Paris-Nice is possible. I just have to be careful.”