Matteo Jorgenson finishes eighth in the general classification of the Tour de France

For much of this summer’s Tour de France, Boise High graduate Matteo Jorgenson rode in a supporting role to a decorated teammate. But he also continued to show why he’s one of the most promising American cyclists in years.

Jorgenson finished eighth overall when the Tour de France concluded on Sunday, making him the first American rider to finish in the top 10 since 2014, when Tejay Van Garderen finished fifth.

The only other two American riders competing in this year’s race finished 59th and 78th.

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The eighth-place finish continues a breakthrough season for Jorgenson, who will represent the U.S. at the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris. He also became the first American to win Paris-Nice since 2006 earlier this year.

But his third trip to the Tour de France brought Jorgenson more heartache. He finished second on Friday’s stage 19 behind eventual Tour winner Tadej Pogačar, losing the lead and his first stage win in the final 2 kilometers.

“I can’t be too disappointed, I guess. But right now…” Jorgenson told reporters after the stage. “I just came so close. I feel like the Tour de France and (me) have a pretty bad relationship with coming close on stages. I feel like I’m trying my best but it’s just not sinking in.”

Jorgenson also finished third and fourth on stages last year, but left the Tour with a hamstring injury. But he told reporters after his fourth-place finish on Sunday’s final stage that he will use another predicament as fuel for next year.

“I really have a fire in my belly to win a stage in the Tour de France,” Jorgenson said. “It’s been my dream since I was a little kid. In three years it hasn’t happened yet. I feel like I’m getting closer every year.”

Injuries forced Jorgenson, 25, into a key role for Team Visma | Lease a Bike. He often rode in support of two-time reigning champion Jonas Vingegaard, helping him to a second overall finish when Vingegaard competed in his first race since a crash in April.

Jorgenson also helped his Dutch team to second place in the team classification.

The former Boise Young Rider Development Squad rider now has his sights set on the Olympics, where he will be one of three Americans in the men’s road race on Aug. 3. The U.S. won its only medal in the men’s mass start race in 1984, when Alexi Grewal took gold.