Bold statement: American cycling has hit a rough patch, but a new team could spark a much-needed revival—and here’s why that matters. Matteo Jorgenson warmly welcomes George Hincapie’s Modern Adventure Pro Cycling, a development many see as a potential turning point for the sport in the United States.
Cycling in the U.S. has endured a challenging era since the Lance Armstrong scandal cast a long shadow over the sport and its most storied achievements. The clean-slate era that followed left an uphill climb, yet a new generation—featuring riders like Sepp Kuss, Quinn Simmons, Neilson Powless, and Matteo Jorgenson—has helped lift American cycling’s profile in recent years. Jorgenson, in particular, has established himself as a pivotal figure for Visma | Leak a Bike, serving as a key lieutenant to Jonas Vingegaard in the Tour de France and, arguably, even more influential than Kuss at times.
Beyond individual talents, the U.S. needs more top-tier teams. One of the country’s WorldTour outfits, Lidl-Trek, is transitioning to a German license in 2026, underscoring the absence of a robust American-based WorldTour presence. In this backdrop, Modern Adventure Pro Cycling, founded by George Hincapie, could be a vital catalyst for long-term growth. The team is set to begin competing as early as 2026, and Jorgenson has expressed optimism about the momentum this venture has generated within American cycling.
“I’m glad to see it. There’s still strong interest in road racing in the United States, and that’s a positive sign for the sport,” Jorgenson remarked with enthusiasm.
Will U.S. racing stages experience a comeback? A second major theme of the current downturn is the erosion of traditional international events in the United States. Iconic races once anchored the calendar—Tour of Utah, Tour of California, and the Colorado Classic—have been discontinued over the past decade. Today, only the Maryland Classic remains on the WorldTour circuit within the country, while efforts such as reviving races in Colorado have yielded limited results so far.
Against this backdrop, Jorgenson’s optimism about a U.S.-based ProTeam suggests renewed motivation among stakeholders to advance proposals aimed at reintroducing WorldTour racing to the United States after more than half a decade without it.
Reflecting on the potential impact, Jorgenson emphasized the broader significance for American road racing. He is disheartened by the current scarcity of professional events and the absence of marquee races like the Tour of California, Utah, and Colorado. Yet he also sees opportunity in the emergence of Modern Adventure Pro Cycling to nurture the next generation of American professionals.
“For me, one of the most powerful outcomes would be the chance for younger riders—Under-23s and juniors—to step onto the pro stage within the United States,” Jorgenson explained. He even recalled watching the Tour of California live in his grandfather’s hometown, a memory that continues to fuel his belief in the sport’s domestic growth. The new team represents more than just a competitive outfit; it could become a viable pathway for American talent to reach the highest levels of cycling, right at home.
