'We need to practice what it's like to work together' - Matteo Jorgenson praises Ben Healy's role in Il Lombardia protest

The five-minute delay at the start of Il Lombardia was a rare display of unity from the professional peloton, with riders collectively calling for improved safety standards following a series of serious incidents in recent months.

Speaking to TNT Sports, Jorgenson stressed that the significance of the protest went beyond the immediate message it sent to cycling's governing bodies. For the American, it was also an important exercise in learning how to act together.

"We need to practice what it's like to work together," Jorgenson said. "We have to be on the same page. You're not going to be laughed out of the room if you suggest that we do something together for once for our safety."

Jorgenson singled out Healy for his role in organising the demonstration, explaining how the EF Education-EasyPost rider brought together representatives from every team ahead of the Italian Monument.

"I have to give props to Ben Healy for this," Jorgenson said.

"It really seemed like he was the one who organised it and set up a group chat with one member of each team in Lombardia for that race, and he came up with the idea himself of having this five-minute protest."

Jorgenson also highlighted the consideration that went into the demonstration, particularly the decision not to disrupt the race itself or unfairly target organiser RCS Sport.

"It was very well thought out. We don't want to disrupt the race because these last races in Italy where these incidents happened weren't RCS races. So RCS obviously puts on Lombardia, and they didn't have anything to do with it, but we as riders need to practice this."

The protest followed a series of alarming incidents, including the death of Finlay Tarling at the Volta a Portugal in August, when he was struck by a motorist who entered the racecourse.

In the days leading up to Il Lombardia, a delivery van entered the course during Coppa Bernocchi, while Pinarello-Q36.5 riders Marcel Camprubì and Thomas Gloag crashed at Tre Valli Varesine after reportedly being struck by a police motorcyclist travelling against the direction of the race.

Healy had already confirmed after Il Lombardia that the initiative came directly from the riders rather than their union, the CPA.

"All I did was rally the troops, so to say, because this isn't just coming from me: this is coming from everyone in this peloton today and everyone in the WorldTour peloton in general," Healy said.

"Every single team on the start line today all voted to do that this morning, so it's a particularly strong feeling. I think hopefully it was heard."

The demonstration also produced an unexpected moment when Remco Evenepoel took the microphone on the start line in Bergamo to address spectators on behalf of the peloton.

Michael Matthews later revealed on the Domestique Hotseat that the speech had not been planned.

"Honestly, we didn't plan for anyone to really do a speech," Matthews said. "Remco was just at the front because he's European champion, and he just grabbed the microphone and went for it."

The immediate impact of the protest remains to be seen, but Jorgenson hopes it can encourage riders from competing teams to work together more often on safety issues. For the American, the ability to take a united stand is an important step towards making their concerns heard.