Matteo Jorgenson chooses alternative build-up ahead of Tour de France

Matteo Jorgenson was originally scheduled to compete in the Tour de Suisse as preparation for the Tour de France, but several media outlets – including L'Équipe – now report that the American has chosen an alternative buildup, using the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (7-14) as his preparatory race.

Jorgenson spent the past weeks training at altitude in the Sierra Nevada, where he has been getting ready for his return to the racing peloton. The last time we saw the climber in action was in April. At the Amstel Gold Race, the Visma | Lease a Bike rider seemed on track for a strong finish but crashed on the descent of the Kruisberg.

The unfortunate Jorgenson broke his collarbone and had to skip the Ardennes Classics. However, the 26-year-old is now fully recovered and ready to put on a race number again this Sunday.

He will race the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (the new name for the Critérium du Dauphiné) alongside riders such as Wout van Aert and Bruno Armirail, who are also preparing for the upcoming Tour de France.

At the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, with Tadej Pogačar, Jonas Vingegaard, and Remco Evenepoel absent, the spotlight is mainly on the French wunderkind Paul Seixas, Juan Ayuso, and Isaac Del Toro.