Campenaerts and Jorgenson: From Rivals to Teammates at Visma | Lease a Bike

The Visma | Lease a Bike cycling team is known for its strong team spirit and cohesion, embodied in their motto: ‘Together we win.’ But even within a tightly knit squad, personal dynamics can be complex. The relationship between Victor Campenaerts and Matteo Jorgenson initially presented a challenge, marked by a past rivalry that took time to overcome.

Campenaerts, a Belgian rider who previously competed for the team in 2016 and 2017, is now in his second stint with Visma | Lease a Bike. Jorgenson, meanwhile, is entering his third season. Despite now enjoying a strong working relationship – often showcased in Campenaerts’ vlogs during events like the Tour de France – their history wasn’t always amicable.

A History of Competition

The roots of the tension stem from a past encounter when the two were competing on different teams. Jorgenson revealed to Het Nieuwsblad that Campenaerts once appeared to prioritize preventing him from winning a race over pursuing victory himself, leading to Campenaerts being added to Jorgenson’s mental list of “semi-enemies.” “That is true,” Jorgenson confirmed. “In a breakaway, Campenaerts seemed to ride primarily to ensure I didn’t win.”

When Campenaerts rejoined Visma | Lease a Bike last year, that history created an initial awkwardness. “It’s true. There was some time that needed to pass,” Jorgenson explained. “After my transfer to Visma, there was a bit of tension in the air between us during our first training camp in Tenerife.”

However, it was Campenaerts who took the initiative to mend fences. “He called me into his room one afternoon to explain what had happened back then,” Jorgenson recounted. “He was well aware of the ‘elephant in the room.’ It took courage for Victor to do what he did, and it allowed us to clear the air and move forward.”

The Complexities of Peloton Dynamics

Jorgenson emphasized that such rivalries aren’t uncommon in professional cycling. He described a system of categorizing fellow riders as friends, enemies, or “semi-enemies.” “I consider that applies to many riders,” said the two-time Paris-Nice winner. “Racing is a sport where you’re often in a highly stressful situation.”

“When you’re in that mindset, incidents tend to stick with you. Most riders have a list of riders they don’t receive along with and a list of friends they know will always give them space in the peloton.” Fortunately, in the case of Campenaerts and Jorgenson, the initial friction was resolved.

Campenaerts, 34, has a history of strong performances, including stage victories in major races like the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and Tirreno-Adriatico. He’s known for his determination and resilience, qualities that Visma | Lease a Bike hopes he will bring to both the classics and grand tours. He rode as a key domestique for Jonas Vingegaard in the 2025 Tour de France, supporting him until the final kilometers of mountain stages and even contributing to Wout van Aert’s memorable stage win in Paris.

Jorgenson’s role within the team is too evolving. He’s currently in his third season with Visma | Lease a Bike and is increasingly recognized as a potential leader, working alongside riders like Simon Yates and Matteo Jorgenson, as the team carefully defines roles for the upcoming Tour de France, according to recent reporting.

Recent Results and Future Outlook

Campenaerts has shown consistent form in early 2026, recently finishing 13th in Stage 8 and 17th overall in the Paris-Nice stage race (as of March 15, 2026). His results in Paris-Nice included a 63rd place finish in Stage 7, 58th in Stage 6, 20th in Stage 5, 45th in Stage 4, 54th in Stage 2, and 100th in Stage 1. These results demonstrate his versatility and ability to compete across different terrains.

The ability of Campenaerts and Jorgenson to place their past differences aside and work effectively as teammates is a positive sign for Visma | Lease a Bike. The team’s success hinges on strong internal dynamics, and the resolution of this particular rivalry underscores their commitment to the “Together we win” philosophy.

Looking ahead, both riders are expected to play crucial roles in the team’s upcoming campaigns. Campenaerts aims to contribute significantly during the classics and grand tours, while Jorgenson continues to develop as a potential leader. The team will be closely watched to see how these two riders, once rivals, now contribute to their collective success.

The next major event for Visma | Lease a Bike is the upcoming Critérium du Dauphiné, where Jonas Vingegaard is currently strengthening his podium position in the queen stage, demonstrating the team’s overall strength and ambition.

Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of Visma | Lease a Bike and the unfolding storylines of the 2026 cycling season.