Matteo Jorgenson: "I want to win Paris-Nice"
March 6 th 2025 - 11:56
A year ago, Matteo Jorgenson had “never” thought he’d win Paris-Nice. Yet the American knows the roads that make up the decision on the “Race to the Sun” like the back of his hand. He came to France as a teenager and has been living in the Baie des Anges for several years now. He loves Paris-Nice, his “favourite race”. His emerging talent had already enabled him to appear twice in the top 10 of the event... And his move to Team Visma-Lease a Bike led him towards major conquests throughout the 2024 season, marked above all by his stunning victory in Nice, at home. A year later, Jorgenson returns, flanked by Jonas Vingegaard and confident of his strength.
How does it feel to be back in competition?
I’m glad, like every year, to make it through the opening week-end with all my skin on my body! And I also have a good feeling. I was really strong both days [Omloop Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne] so I think we have things to improve on for the coming classics as a team but from a personal standpoint I’m looking forward to Paris-Nice. I feel very confident.
It will be your only stage race in a calendar filled with cobbled classics. How did you build your spring campaign?
Mainly, I’m trying to do the same as last year. I always follow the old saying: if it’s not broken, don’t fix it. Last year went really well and I also really enjoyed myself. Mentally, I could handle the load of these races so I decided to just keep the spring exactly the same.
How much of a different racing environment do you expect to find a week from now, in Paris-Nice?
To be honest, it’s pretty similar to the classics, at least for the first couple of days, which is nice. That’s why I think doing the opening week-end is so helpful going into Paris-Nice. And then, slowly through the race, the tension kind of fades and it’s a more of a true fitness test toward the end. That’s really what I’m looking forward to, the last, I would say five days of Paris-Nice.
"Excited to pin on number one for the first time."
Looking back at 2024, how special was that “home victory”, turning the race upside down on the last day?
It was a really special moment… It was the highpoint of a great year for me and it was next to my home. I knew this course from my heart and I could tell any single corner. I’m really just excited to get back there and pin on number one for the first time in my career.
So what do you hope for in Paris-Nice 2025?
I hope to win! I want to win Paris-Nice. That’s my objective. I only have super good memories from Paris-Nice. I love it, it’s my favourite race on the calendar. It’s one of the biggest, if not the biggest, one-week stage races. That’s at least how I view it, it’s the one I like the most.
And this time Jonas Vingegaard will be by your side. What kind of balance do you see between the two of you?
We get along really well Jonas and I. I just think we have a very similar mindset and we’re good friends. So I think we’re going to race really well together.
Last year, it was an open battle all the way to Nice… What kind of dynamics do you expect in 2025?
It’s always the same with Paris-Nice. So many scenarios can happen until the last day in Nice…
Matteo Jorgenson (the USA) Born in Walnut Creek (California) on 1st July 1999
Teams: Movistar Team (2020-2023), Team Visma-Lease a Bike (since 2024)
Record:
Winner of Paris-Nice 2024
2nd of the Critérium du Dauphiné 2024
8th of the Tour de France 2024
Winner of the Tour of Oman 2023
Winner of Dwars door Vlaanderen 2024