Matteo Jorgenson Balances GC Ambitions with Loyalty to Jonas Vuegaard at the vulueta of Spain in a rare pogačar-free grale grand tour: ‘this is a good possibility.’
Jorgenson is racing the Vuelta for the first time. (Photo: MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)
Updated August 26, 2025 04:22AM
Matteo Jorgenson is racing on two fronts during this Back to Spain.First is to help Jonas Vingegaard bring home the victory when the Spanish grand tour ends in Madrid on September 14.
The second is to keep testing the GC waters across the next three weeks. It’s a tightrope balancing act,but one that Jorgenson is proving vrey adept at straddling.
The big question is, can his motor handle two grand tours back-to-back, a first for the budding GC superstar.
‘I really have to see how it goes, I have no idea how my body will react,” Jorgenson told IDL at the start of the Vuelta. “Racing for the GC is one of my goals these days, and the team knows that and supports me in that. So this Vuelta could be a good opportunity,but we’ll have to see how good I am and how the race unfolds.”
So far, it’s unfolding better than scripted. Vingegaard already won a stage and could carry red back to Spain if he makes it through Tuesday’s transition stage over the Alps.
and Jorgenson is showing no signs of the illness that torpedoed his Tour de France dreams this summer, and he started stage 4 safely tucked inside the top 10.
Tour-Vuelta double alongside Sepp Kuss
Jorgenson and Vingegaard team up again after the Tour de France.(Photo: Dario Belingheri/Getty Images )
Jorgenson decided to race the Vuelta earlier this season and revealed to Velo during the tour’s se
Jonas Vingegaard’s calculated Approach to the Vuelta a España
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Jonas Vingegaard, the two-time Tour de France champion, is demonstrating a strategic and measured approach to his campaign at the Vuelta a España. Early performances suggest he is a strong contender, but his team, Visma-Lease a Bike, is emphasizing a cautious strategy focused on long-term success rather than immediate dominance.
Early Performances and Tactical Considerations
Vingegaard has already showcased his competitive form, winning a stage and consistently placing among the leaders in challenging terrain. Following his Sunday victory, he continued to perform strongly on Monday, battling with Mads Pedersen and stage winner David Gaudu for third place in an uphill sprint.This demonstrates not only his physical capabilities but also his willingness to engage in aggressive racing.
Team Strategy: Patience and Preservation
Despite vingegaard’s evident strength, his team director, Arthur Niermann, is advocating for a patient strategy. The focus isn’t solely on winning every stage but on preserving energy and positioning Vingegaard for success in the crucial mountain stages where the Vuelta is ultimately decided.Niermann stated,”We don’t need to hold him back yet,but for ourselves,we have to keep in mind where the Vuelta can be won.” This highlights a deliberate effort to avoid expending needless energy in the early phases of the race.
The Importance of Climbing
Visma-Lease a bike recognizes Vingegaard’s exceptional climbing ability as a key asset. Niermann acknowledges that Vingegaard “should basically be the best climber in this Vuelta,” but also stresses that climbing prowess alone doesn’t guarantee victory. The Vuelta a España is a multifaceted race, and success requires navigating varied terrain and adapting to unpredictable conditions.
The Role of Teammates
The success of Vingegaard’s strategy hinges on the support of his teammates. They are tasked with controlling the pace, protecting Vingegaard from wind and attacks, and setting him up for optimal positioning in key moments. This collaborative approach is crucial for conserving Vingegaard’s energy and maximizing his chances of winning.
Jorgenson’s Contribution
Matteo Jorgenson, a key member of the Visma-Lease a Bike team, plays a vital role in supporting Vingegaard. His contributions are essential to the overall team strategy, though specific details regarding his role where not provided in the source material.
Looking Ahead
The vuelta a España is a long and demanding race, and vingegaard’s team is taking a calculated approach to maximize his chances of overall victory. By prioritizing preservation, strategic positioning, and leveraging Vingegaard’s climbing ability, Visma-Lease a Bike aims to contend for the red jersey while avoiding the pitfalls of early-race overexertion. The coming mountain stages will be critical in determining whether this strategy proves successful.
Publication Date: 2025/08/26 11:44:09