Matteo Jorgenson's Warm Embrace of George Hincapie's New Team: A Ray of Hope for US Cycling?
The United States cycling scene has been in a downward spiral since the dark days of the U.S. Postal team and Lance Armstrong's seven Tour de France victories were stripped away due to doping. The absence of iconic races like the Tour of Utah, Tour of California, and Colorado Classic has left a void in North American cycling. However, there's a glimmer of hope on the horizon, and it comes in the form of a new team founded by George Hincapie, Modern Adventure Pro Cycling.
Jorgenson, one of the rising stars in US cycling, is thrilled about this development. He believes it's a significant step forward for the sport in his homeland. In an interview with Domestique, Jorgenson expressed his excitement, saying, 'I'm glad to see it. It's fantastic that there's still interest in road racing in the United States.'
The creation of Modern Adventure Pro Cycling couldn't come at a better time. With one of the two American WorldTour teams, Lidl-Trek, set to switch to a German license in 2026, the emergence of a new US-based team is crucial to the sport's long-term health. Jorgenson sees this as a potential catalyst for change, stating, 'It provides an extra motivation for stakeholders to push for the return of WorldTour racing to the United States.'
The disappearance of traditional international events from the US cycling calendar has been a significant setback. The absence of races like the Tour of California, Utah, and Colorado has left a void that even recent revival attempts, like the Colorado Classic, have struggled to fill. Jorgenson, a former resident of Colorado, vividly remembers watching the Tour of California as a child, and he's eager to see such races return.
But Jorgenson's enthusiasm goes beyond nostalgia. He's passionate about the potential for Modern Adventure Pro Cycling to nurture young talent. He believes it can provide a pathway for up-and-coming cyclists, like those currently competing in the under-23 or junior ranks, to transition into professional racing. Jorgenson said, 'Having teams like Modern Adventure Pro Cycling is exciting because it offers a real opportunity for these young riders to make it to the pros.'
As Modern Adventure Pro Cycling prepares to take to the roads in 2026, it carries the weight of US cycling's hopes and dreams. With Jorgenson's enthusiasm and the team's potential to attract sponsors and talent, there's a real chance that the sport in the United States could be on the cusp of a resurgence. The question remains: Will this new team be the catalyst for a brighter future for US cycling?
