Visma-Lease a Bike Gets Major Boost Ahead of Liège-Bastogne-Liège

By Daniel Richardson, Editor-in-Chief of Archysport

LIÈGE, Belgium — Just days after losing their top contender for the Ardennes classics, Visma-Lease a Bike has received a significant morale boost as American rider Matteo Jorgenson makes a remarkably swift recovery from a broken collarbone. While the team will still be without its designated leader for Sunday’s Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Jorgenson’s rapid return to training has provided a glimmer of hope for the squad’s long-term ambitions, particularly with the Tour de France looming on the horizon.

Jorgenson’s Crash and Immediate Aftermath

Matteo Jorgenson, Visma-Lease a Bike’s designated leader for the Ardennes classics, crashed heavily during the Amstel Gold Race on April 20, fracturing his clavicle. The injury forced him to withdraw from the race and ruled him out of both the Flèche Wallonne (held Wednesday) and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the final Monument of the spring classics season. The setback was a bitter pill for the team, which had invested heavily in Jorgenson’s preparation for these key races, including a three-week altitude training camp.

“Matteo was our man for these races,” Visma-Lease a Bike sports director Maarten Wynants told HLN shortly after the crash. “We had high hopes for him, but now we have to adjust our plans.”

No Van Aert, No Vingegaard: A Team in Transition

With Jorgenson sidelined, speculation swirled about whether Visma-Lease a Bike would turn to its star rider Wout van Aert as a replacement. However, the team quickly ruled out that possibility. Van Aert, who had just returned from a brief vacation, was not in optimal condition for Liège-Bastogne-Liège, a race where he finished third in his only previous appearance in 2022.

“No. Wout is just back from a short break,” Wynants said. “I don’t think it would have been the best preparation for Liège. His schedule this summer is already packed with the Tour de France and the Vuelta, so we’re not going to disrupt his planning.”

Nor will the team call up Jonas Vingegaard or Nathan Van Hooydonck, both of whom are currently on a 10-day training camp in preparation for the Giro d’Italia. “We desire to stick to the plan for the Giro,” Wynants added, signaling that Visma-Lease a Bike is prioritizing its Grand Tour ambitions over last-minute adjustments for the Ardennes.

Instead, the team has turned to British rider Ben Tulett as its leader for Liège-Bastogne-Liège. While Tulett is a talented climber, he lacks the experience and profile of Jorgenson or Van Aert, making Visma-Lease a Bike an underdog in Sunday’s race.

A Remarkable Recovery: Jorgenson Back on the Rollers

Despite the disappointment of missing the Ardennes classics, Visma-Lease a Bike received a major boost this week when Jorgenson was spotted back on his rollers just days after his crash. Images and videos circulated on social media showing the 25-year-old American already training indoors, a sign that his recovery is progressing far faster than initially expected.

“It’s incredible to observe him back on the bike so soon,” one team insider told Archysport. “A broken collarbone usually means weeks off the bike, but Matteo is clearly determined to get back to racing as quickly as possible.”

Jorgenson’s rapid recovery is a positive sign for the team’s Tour de France preparations. The young American has shown strong form this season, including a stage win at Paris-Nice and a fourth-place finish at Strade Bianche. His ability to bounce back quickly from injury could prove crucial as Visma-Lease a Bike aims to defend its Tour title with Jonas Vingegaard.

What’s Next for Visma-Lease a Bike?

With Liège-Bastogne-Liège looming, Visma-Lease a Bike will rely on Ben Tulett to lead its charge. While Tulett is unlikely to challenge for the win, his presence ensures the team remains competitive in the race’s decisive climbs. The team’s focus will then shift to the Giro d’Italia, where Vingegaard and Van Hooydonck will aim to make an impact before the Tour de France.

For Jorgenson, the priority now is a full recovery. His early return to training suggests he could be back in action sooner than expected, potentially in time for the Critérium du Dauphiné, a key warm-up race for the Tour. If he can regain his form quickly, he could play a pivotal role in supporting Vingegaard in July.

Key Takeaways

• Matteo Jorgenson out: Visma-Lease a Bike’s leader for the Ardennes classics fractured his collarbone in the Amstel Gold Race and will miss Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
• No Van Aert: Wout van Aert will not replace Jorgenson, as the team prioritizes his Tour de France and Vuelta a España preparations.
• Ben Tulett to lead: The British rider will take over as the team’s leader for Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
• Jorgenson’s recovery: The American is already back on his rollers, signaling a faster-than-expected return to training.
• Tour de France focus: Visma-Lease a Bike’s long-term goals remain centered on the Grand Tours, with Jorgenson potentially playing a key role.

The Road Ahead

Liège-Bastogne-Liège takes place this Sunday, April 28, with the race starting in Liège and finishing in the iconic town of Bastogne. While Visma-Lease a Bike will be without its top contender, the team’s resilience and Jorgenson’s rapid recovery offer a silver lining as it looks ahead to the summer’s biggest races.

For fans, the next major checkpoint is the Giro d’Italia, which begins on May 10. Until then, all eyes will be on Ben Tulett’s performance in Liège and Jorgenson’s progress as he works his way back to full fitness.

What do you think about Visma-Lease a Bike’s chances in Liège-Bastogne-Liège? Will Jorgenson’s recovery give the team a boost for the Tour de France? Share your thoughts in the comments below!