“I felt the timing was right for me now to become a pro..I found a both the challenge and the security I was looking for in a team”
One of the most talented young Danish riders has agreed to a lengthy deal with Team Saxo Tinkoff, signing a three year contract that will take him from the Continental level to the WorldTour.
The 21 year old Michael Valgren will make the step up from Team Cult Energy, and has the palmares to suggested that he could go on to be a major name in years to come.
He won the U23 Liege-Bastogne-Liege two years in a row and this year nabbed a stage plus the overall classification in the Fleche du Sud.
“This is in many ways a dream come true for me,” said Valgren, knowing that his career is reaching a new level. “I felt the timing was right for me now to become a pro, and with Team Saxo-Tinkoff I found a both the challenge and the security I was looking for in a team.”
As has been the case with young signings before, they and the team have got acquainted and made sure that the fit is right.
“I'm entering a well known environment after being invited to a couple of the team training camps, and I know quite a few of the riders on the team,” he explained. “But what really made the difference for me, were the talks I had with Bjarne about my development. I know very well that I have to work hard to achieve my goals, but I'm looking very much forward to this challenge.”
Riis has many strong riders on the squad but knows that it’s important to cultivate big Danish names. His team is based there and having a top rider from there would be huge for the squad.
“I'm delighted to have agreed to a deal with Michael. He is without a doubt one of the biggest prospects in Danish cycling in many years, and I look very much forward to start working with him,” said Riis. “He has great potential and everything it takes to become successful, but there is also room for improvements, which says a lot about his talent.”
Reassuringly, he commits to helping him grow gradually rather than rushing this stage of his career. “Michael is still very young, and therefore the key will be to help him progress and take the next step in his development in a protected environment,” he said.
“Together we have worked out a plan for him, and if he continues to grow and adapt to life as a pro bike rider, he will be one to watch, I'm sure.”
Riis’ squad is currently looking for a secondary sponsor after talks broke down with current second sponsor Tinkoff Bank.
The signing of riders like Valgren could pique the interest of potential backers, particularly those from Denmark.