Team Visma | Lease a Bike secures victory in Paris-Nice team time trial, Jorgenson takes yellow (+VIDEO)
Team Visma | Lease a Bike has won the team time trial of Paris-Nice in impressive fashion. In the race against the clock, the yellow-black brigade immediately set a strong finishing time, which held until the end. On top of that, Matteo Jorgenson is the new leader in the general classification.
The Magny-Cours circuit hosted the start of the 28-kilometer team time trial in Paris-Nice. After an opening section on rolling roads, a short but steep climb awaited in the final kilometres. Team Visma | Lease a Bike was the tenth team to roll off the start ramp.
The seven-man train immediately set the fastest time at the intermediate checkpoint. Reigning European time trial champion Edoardo Affini, Per Strand Hagenes, and Axel Zingle gave their all in the lead-up to the final climb. Then it was up to Bart Lemmen and former world hour record holder Victor Campenaerts to lead team leaders Jorgenson and Jonas Vingegaard towards the final kilometers. The duo clocked an outstanding time of 30'26", securing Team Visma | Lease a Bike's fifth victory of the season. Team Jayco AlUla and Red Bull – Bora – Hansgrohe finished second and third. Jorgenson also took over the lead in the general classification, with Vingegaard climbing to second place.
“I’m incredibly proud of the guys,” Jorgenson said afterward. “Everyone executed their role to perfection. I don’t take it for granted to be surrounded by six riders of such a high level. Jonas and I were guided perfectly toward the final climb. From there, it was up to us to finish the job. It feels amazing to take the win here. As a team, we spent a lot of time preparing for this time trial. It was all worth it.”
Jorgenson also claimed the yellow leader’s jersey. The 25-year-old American, who won Paris-Nice last year, now holds a six-second lead over his teammate Vingegaard in the general classification. “I’m really looking forward to racing in yellow tomorrow. Last year I took the jersey in the final stage in Nice, but this time I’ll actually get to race in it. We’ll have to defend our lead in the coming days, but I’m confident our team is strong enough to do so.”
“We’ve had a very successful day,” added sports director Grischa Niermann. “We gained a lot of seconds on some key rivals, which gives us some breathing room for the days ahead. Of course, we’ll do everything we can to defend the jersey. There are still plenty of exciting stages coming up. We’re looking forward to fighting with Matteo and Jonas for another overall victory in Nice.”