For the primary time in days following an earlier crash, Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) was in a position to dig deep to complete seventh on the Tour de France stage 7 time trial, 54 seconds behind stage winner Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep). He additionally moved into the highest 10 total, 4 minutes down, from race chief Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates).
Jorgenson went down in a high-speed crash along with his Visma-Lease a Bike teammate Wout van Aert on stage 2 with just below 100km to trip on the hilly day in Italy. After getting again on his bike, the 25-year-old labored for group chief Jonas Vingegaard on the ultimate climb of the day earlier than ending with the principle group of favourites, 21 seconds down.
Jorgenson advised WielerFlits that the crash impacted him greater than anticipated.
“The final three days my physique had a extremely not good response to the crash. I believed it was not a critical crash the primary, particularly on San Luca. I received up and I nonetheless had a whole lot of adrenaline, I feel.”
But the fact hit on stage 4 with its 3,600 metres of elevation acquire the place Jorgenson was not in a position to help Vingegaard on the slopes of the fearsome Col du Galibier. Another exhausting day the next day earlier than the American was in a position to considerably relaxation on the comparatively flat stage 6.
“But then my physique reacted a bit delayed and I had only a horrible feeling, particularly on the Galibier day and the day after. So I’m simply pleased that I’m previous that now,” he admitted.
“I’m proud of it. Seventh is fairly a good trip for me. And yeah, high 10 in a Tour de France TT is just not so unhealthy.”
Is his first look on the Tour de France, Jorgenson was not solely content material along with his outcome within the time trial, however extra importantly the chance to evaluate his type after a full week of racing.
“It’s an excellent check and simply good to see how I can do if I’m going full-on on a Tour de France TT.”
The 25-year-old, who celebrated his birthday on July 2, is trying ahead to the 32km of gravel over 14 sectors on Sunday’s stage 9 in Troyes.
“The gravel stage shall be chaos,” he mentioned. “I’m trying ahead to the gravel after which a pleasant relaxation and the subsequent part of the race can begin.”
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