Imagine sacrificing your favorite races for a chance at Monument glory. That's precisely the bold decision Matteo Jorgenson is making, shaking up his 2026 season in a way that's turning heads across the cycling world.
The top American rider, currently making waves, Matteo Jorgenson, is planning a significant overhaul of his racing schedule. Get this: he's foregoing the grueling cobbled Classics and even his beloved Paris-Nice in 2026. Instead, he's setting his sights on the hiller, more demanding Classics, with one Monument in particular – Liège-Bastogne-Liège – firmly in his crosshairs. He's marking this iconic race as a key objective. But here's where it gets controversial... some fans might argue this is a risky move, sacrificing potential wins in familiar territory for a gamble on a course that might suit him better. What do you think?
Jorgenson will once again be a vital support rider for Jonas Vingegaard at the Tour de France. And this is the part most people miss... While Jorgenson recently expressed a strong desire to lead a Grand Tour team – especially with Simon Yates' departure from the Giro d'Italia potentially opening up opportunities – that dream won't materialize in 2026. It seems team support takes priority, at least for now. Is this a missed opportunity for Jorgenson, or a strategically sound decision for the team's overall success?
As a rider who thrives on climbs, Jorgenson is drawn to the longer ascents that define races like the Amstel Gold Race and, crucially, Liège-Bastogne-Liège. This isn't just about the terrain, though. Jorgenson has deep emotional ties to "La Doyenne," stemming from his early racing experiences in Europe and his time with Movistar. These early experiences shaped his love for the sport and the allure of Liege-Bastogne-Liege.
"Liège is a race that I've done a few times, but I've also watched it the past couple years, and I've just always wanted to be there, because those longer climbs I feel are good for me, and might be a little bit better than the Flemish ones," Jorgenson explained. He believes the longer, more sustained climbs of Liège better suit his strengths compared to the shorter, punchier climbs found in the Flemish Classics.
He further elaborated on his connection to the race, saying: "But also, I raced Liege with Alejandro Valverde, and I think it was his last time doing Liège, and he had won it, I don't know how many times, but I just remember his passion for the race."
"The night before that edition, we watched a bunch of Alejandro's victories at Liège, and I remember the fun and exciting emotions and looking forward to it. It's a special and historical race, and something that I just want to do again, because I think it suits me well." Sharing a moment with a legend like Valverde clearly left a lasting impression on Jorgenson, fueling his ambition to conquer Liège himself. The race's rich history and challenging course resonate deeply with him.
Jorgenson also praised the Visma team for their flexibility in allowing riders to shape their own calendars: "You can see in the calendars that as riders, we were given space to choose a little bit of our own calendar, and they really listened. I think, especially in Jonas' case, because it was difficult for them to let go of this formula that they had perfected for so long, and because they also know that it works – they won the Tour twice with it – so it was difficult for them to give that up." This demonstrates a level of trust and collaboration within the team, empowering riders to pursue their individual goals while still contributing to the overall team strategy.
James Moultrie, a highly respected NCTJ journalist, originally contributed to Cyclingnews as a freelancer for eight months before officially joining as a News Writer in 2023. During that time, he also wrote for Eurosport, Rouleur, and Cycling Weekly. His reporting experience includes covering major races like Paris-Roubaix and the Giro d’Italia Donne for Eurosport, as well as interviewing prominent figures in cycling such as Chloé Dygert, Lizzie Deignan, and Wout van Aert. Beyond cycling, Moultrie enjoys following a variety of other sports, including rugby, football, cricket, and American Football.
So, what do you think about Jorgenson's decision? Is he making the right call by prioritizing Liège-Bastogne-Liège over other races? And should Visma be giving him a shot at leading a Grand Tour team? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
