Jorgenson switches plans and joins Van Aert on the Dauphiné route to the Tour de France

Matteo Jorgenson will return to racing on Sunday in the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. The Visma | Lease a Bike American had originally been due to ride the Tour of Switzerland, but after his rehabilitation following a crash at the Amstel Gold Race, he has chosen to return to racing in France instead.

Jorgenson skipped the Flemish Classics this spring in favour of the Ardennes races. That seemed a good choice, until he came down in the breakaway after a crash caused by Kévin Vauquelin in the Amstel Gold Race. With a broken collarbone, his spring was instantly over.

The American, who will also play an important role for Visma | Lease a Bike and Jonas Vingegaard in the Tour de France, had announced at the start of the season that he would ride the Tour of Switzerland after four years of the Critrerium du Dauphiné (now the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes). That plan has now been changed, the team confirmed when asked.

After a good altitude camp in the Sierra Nevada, Jorgenson will start his next race in the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. The race is a good test for the Tour de France, which is also reflected in Visma | Lease a Bike’s line-up. Wout van Aert will also ride his Tour preparation race there, just like Bruno Armirail. Ben Tulett is also on the start list.