Albert Philipsen is likely one of the youngest riders on this yr’s Tour Down Under at simply 18 and makes his WorldTour debut with Lidl-Trek in Australia. Yet his junior world titles on the highway and in mountain biking have earned him the standing of ‘tremendous expertise’.
He is likely one of the riders to observe within the years forward, alongside Paul Seixas, Léo Bisiaux (Decathlon-AG2R) and Pablo Torres (UAE Team Emirates) and will even make his mark on the game on the Tour Down Under.
Philipsen’s love of highway racing, mountain biking and Grand Tour potential means he’ll observe within the footsteps of Remco Evenepoel, Tadej Pogačar, Quinn Simmons, Tom Pidcock, and Mathieu van der Poel.
He accepts the ‘tremendous expertise’ tag, taking it as a badge of honour however is already his personal man.
“To be sincere, I do not actually like to check myself with different riders, I might identical to to be Albert Phillipsen and see the place my profession takes me,” he advised Cyclingnews and different media from Tour Down Under.
“I might hope I’m a brilliant expertise but it surely’s undoubtedly laborious to say for the time being. You may be good in juniors, but it surely’s a distinct sport on the WorldTour degree. I nonetheless suppose I’ve quite a bit to develop.
“It’s a bit loopy for me to have to maneuver from junior to WorldTour and to race in opposition to all the blokes that I’ve been watching on TV, and looking out as much as for therefore a few years.”
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Philipsen’s first style of elite racing got here in Saturday night’s criterium. It was a shakeout race, particularly for riders like Philipsen, who had travelled from the colds of the European winter. Yet he went on the assault, in a present of character.
“I simply needed to have an excellent time. It was a very nice race to begin with as a result of there was no stress. It was nearly having enjoyable and getting the physique going,” he defined.
“I’m actually excited to get going. It’s been a protracted winter, or truly, not so lengthy, but it surely felt prefer it’s been a protracted winter of preparation, and I simply really feel able to go and able to see what is going to occur.”
Philipsen is a part of a combined Lidl-Trek group on the Tour Down Under, alongside veteran Bauke Mollema, attainable GC rider Juan Pedro Lopez and Andrea Bagioli, plus fellow WorldTour debutant Tim Torn Teutenberg.
He has apparently impressed throughout coaching rides on Willunga Hill and will use his energy and youth to tackle the larger title rivals. He seems quietly assured however modest.
“I wish to exit and present what I can do. But if it would not occur at this race, I believe it is okay,” he stated.
“It’s laborious for me to set targets for this primary race as a result of the whole lot is so new. So the most important objective is simply to realize some expertise and get the season going. I do not actually have any leads to thoughts, as a result of I do not know that a lot about racing on the WorldTour. It’s a giant change from the juniors.”
Philipsen has turned skilled as a youngster however Lild-Trek will assist him develop by way of a rigorously chosen race programme and spells racing with the Lidl-Trek growth group.
“I nonetheless have not fully discovered which form of rider I wish to be sooner or later. I wish to attempt some various things this yr and see what I’m good at and what I’m unhealthy at, and see the place I really feel like I’m at house, or the place I really feel like I’m doing the most effective,” Philipsen defined.
Philipsen is the 2023 and 2024 junior mountain bike cross-country world champion and intends to incorporate off-road racing in his 2025 season as he finds his ft.
“I’m going to modify between using on the Lidl-Trek devo group for some races after which the WorldTour for many races, plus some mountain biking,” he stated, nonetheless uncertain of his precise calendar.
“When I’m racing with the WorldTour group, it may be about gaining expertise after which when I’m racing with the devo group, it may be about nonetheless having the sensation of methods to journey finals and win races.”
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