Cyclingflash
"Impossible dates": Why Matteo Jorgenson will skip American nationals

"Impossible dates": Why Matteo Jorgenson will skip American nationals

Matteo Jorgenson knows his race schedule for next year. The American rider will mainly focus on the Flemish classics and the Tour de France, but again will opt not to participate in the national championships.

The reason? "I would love to go to the nationals at some point of my career, but unfortunately they keep putting it in really impossible dates for me. For sure this year i won't be there, unless they change the dates", he told WielerFlits during Visma | Lease a Bike's media day on tuesday.

Jorgenson is taking a slightly different approach in 2026. The American has been a fixture in the Flemish classics in recent years, but this year he's focusing on the Walloon one-day races. What's the reason? "It's a matter of just changing an having some variety."

"Life is all about variety. It's difficult to be in shape for both the Flemish and Walloon classics. That's where it's a bit of a struggle. I would also really like to race the Flemish classics. But if the goal is to be good in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, it's better to schedule an altitude training camp beforehand, to be truly ready for Liège."

So, we won't see Jorgenson in races like the E3 Saxo Classic, Dwars door Vlaanderen, or the Tour of Flanders this year. "Of course, it's a bit of a shame, but I'm sure I'll be back. It's not like I've ridden my last Flemish Classics yet. It's just a matter of setting priorities and experimenting a bit."

Big man for Ardennes Classics

Visma | Lease a Bike hasn't really focused on the Ardennes Classics in recent years, but this year the team hopes to make a big splash again in the Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Jorgenson is the ideal man to do so. Does that give the American extra confidence? "Of course. It was more my idea, as I feel these races will suit me well.

"However, in the past couple of years, it's been impossible to combine it. I asked ahead of time, so the team had some heads up that i wanted to do it. And thankfully, they were there to grant my wish."