“My spring has gone flawlessly so far” – Matteo Jorgenson arrives at Amstel Gold Race ‘exactly where I want to be’

Matteo Jorgenson heads into the Amstel Gold Race with growing confidence and clear intent, as Team Visma | Lease a Bike place their faith in the American to lead their Ardennes campaign. After a spring built on consistency and a revised race programme, the 26-year-old believes both his condition and preparation have aligned at the right moment.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s race, Jorgenson struck an assured tone when assessing his form. “My spring has gone flawlessly so far and I feel good. Right now I’m exactly where I want to be.” That sense of control over his condition has been central to his build-up, with the Ardennes block forming a deliberate target rather than an afterthought within his season.

A key shift in Jorgenson’s 2026 campaign has been his altered schedule, stepping away from a more traditional spring path in favour of a programme designed specifically around these races. “My goal was to start the Ardennes Classics in good shape and in good health, and I’ve achieved that,” he explained, before pointing to the benefits of that decision. “I opted for a different race calendar, and it’s working well for me. That new approach, with the Italian races, gave me a fresh boost. I’ve gained new experiences that I can carry into these important races.”

That tailored preparation now leads directly into Amstel, a race whose relentless rhythm of climbs appears well suited to his characteristics. “On Sunday, the climbs come one after another, which makes the race so tough. It’s the kind of race that suits riders like me, where I can show my strengths.”

For Jorgenson, this is not simply about form but timing. The Ardennes Classics represent a clear objective within his season, and the opening race offers an early opportunity to convert preparation into result. “The motivation within the team is high to fight for the win. I’ve been building toward this period for a long time, and I’m happy it’s finally here.”

Within Team Visma | Lease a Bike, Jorgenson’s leadership role is reinforced by both internal confidence and a supporting cast capable of influencing the race in different ways. Sports director Frans Maassen, who will guide the team from the car, underlined that belief. “We have a team capable of competing for the win,” he said, highlighting both preparation and ambition within the squad.

Maassen also pointed to the importance of collective strength around their leader. “Matteo has prepared well for this phase of the season and is motivated to make an impact. He’ll be supported by a strong group of riders.” Among them, Ben Tulett remains a potential factor, although his condition following a recent crash is still uncertain. “It remains to be seen how well Ben Tulett has recovered from his crash in Itzulia Basque Country. The Amstel Gold Race course suits him well, so he can certainly play an important role too.”

There is also a wider sense of momentum within the team following a high-profile victory in the cobbled Classics, something Maassen acknowledged as a backdrop to this next phase of the season. “We all enjoyed Wout van Aert’s victory in Paris-Roubaix. It would be great to carry that momentum into this special week for the team.”

With a leader in form and a squad built to adapt to the unpredictable nature of the race, Visma arrive in Limburg with clear intent. For Jorgenson, the message is simple: the preparation has been precise, the condition is where it needs to be, and the opportunity is now there to turn that into a result.