"Close to being from the smallest team to the biggest, and that's an achievement in itself" - Danish legend reacts to UAE Team Emirates shock signing

In a transfer not many would have seen coming, UAE Team Emirates have secured the services of 25-year-old Dane Julius Johansen on a one-year deal for 2025. For the former Uno-X, Intermarche and Sabgal rider, it's quite the step up.

"It is close to being from the smallest team to the biggest, and that is an achievement in itself," says Danish ex-pro turned analyst Brian Holm in his conversation with Eurosport. "When you come from one of the teams with the smallest sporting setup and switch to the UAE, you will undoubtedly improve. Just the fact that a salary comes in every month, that you get massages, custom-made clothes, and that you have some sports directors who understand cycling, it makes a huge difference."

Despite the surprise at the move, it's not an unwarranted one for Johansen insists Holm. "It is probably the idea that they have seen his wattage figures and thought: Here is a man who can ride from morning to night," Holm assesses. "Someone who can survive climbs and help in the same way as a man like Tim Declerq. And who knows? Perhaps, just like Lars Bak did in his time, he can develop into an even stronger rider and suddenly also win some cycling races."

"I know that Julius himself has called around to get someone to help him. What I have heard is that there is a UAE coach who has been associated with Julius, who has seen his figures and thought that with these watt figures, he is a man we can use," Holm continues. "There is no doubt that if you have followed Julius since he became junior world champion. When you have seen him ride in Ballerup, that is, he could do something that you have almost never seen before. Remco Evenepoel is probably the closest we can get."