Lidl-Trek take the risk and sign injured Lennard Kämna - "We’re confident that he will return to top form"

Lidl-Trek took a bet on Tao Geoghegan Hart last year and now does the same on Lennard Kämna. Two riders who sign a contract with the American team after suffering serious injuries, but Lidl believe they can make the best out of what the German has to offer.

“Lennard is a great talent we’ve been closely watching for some time. When the opportunity arose to bring him on board, it was a clear and natural fit for our Team," team manager Luca Guarcilena said in a press release. "His impressive track record in short stage races, combined with his proven ability to excel over the demanding Grand Tours, makes him a valuable addition. Furthermore, he is a strong time trialist, a quality which is very important when racing for general classification. Thanks to Trek’s team of expert aerodynamicists, this is something we can continue to work on with Lennard."

"While he’s still recovering from a serious crash earlier this year, we’re confident that he will return to top form – if not surpass it – wearing the Lidl-Trek jersey. Signing Lennard represents a significant step forward as we continue to build and strengthen our Team.”

Kämna is a stage-hunting specialist and is one of the few active pro riders who have already won in all three Grand Tours. He achieved this last year at the Vuelta a España but has also won in several other races. A talented climber, he prioritized stage hunting early in his career, but testing himself as a Grand Tour rider he rode a strong ninth spot. This year he was set to race the Tour de France but his plans were cut short in April where he was hit by a car in Spain on a training camp. He hasn't raced since, having suffered multiple injuries.

“With joining Lidl-Trek, I am now taking the next chapter in my career. The past few years have been quite important for me and now I’m excited about what’s to come," the German added. "I definitely want to continue my individual development in the coming years and I certainly want to win races. Of course, I am also realistic about my accident and the injuries I got at the beginning of the year. I’m looking forward to being part of a great team, which certainly has further potential that I want to contribute to with my performance."

It is definitely a gamble, the American team agreed on a three-year contract. "And I’m looking forward to reuniting with team mates I’ve known for a long time from my first year as a pro – Mads Pedersen and Alex Kirsch. All in all, top pre-requisites for lots of fun on and off the bike and hopefully great achievements together.”