Markus Hoelgaard eyes strong classics campaign and Tour de France debut

New Trek-Segafredo sign Markus Hoelgaard has big ambitions for his first season in the World Tour ranks as he eyes Grand Tour debut.

On an interview directed by Trek Nordics, the 27-year old Norwegian powerhouse has opened up about his goals and where he is focusing on this year. After a string of consistent and strong years in the Norwegian Continental and Pro Continental scene, it was no surprise when his new team was reveiled for this year. His only two wins as a pro came at the Artic Race of Norway back in 2019 and 2021.

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“It was of course very fun to get an offer from, and sign for Trek-Segafredo. Even though Uno-X grew significantly during my time there, it is truly a childhood dream come true when I got the opportunity to race for one of the world’s best teams,” explained Hoelgaard.

In 2021 the Norwegian collected a win in the Artic Race of Norway and finished on the podium of the Cro Race, but it was on the one-day races that he gathered most of the attention.

“I would describe myself as a hard-working rider who copes with most terrain and types of rides, but who has my strength in long and hard bike rides without longer climbs. After I signed with Trek-Segafredo, the focus has been more on the cobblestone classics in Belgium, so I am working on specializing further in those races."

His former squad, the Uno-X Pro Cycling Team, had a stellar season and put on a brilliant performance in the cobbled classics (which have earned them a wildcard in the upcoming Paris-Roubaix for this year) and Hoelgaard was a headliner, finishing 8th in the E3 Saxo Bank Classic. Later in the year though he kept impressing, with a 7th place in the European Championships and a 12th place in the World Championships in Leuven, confirming an impressive consistency that has atracted the attention of many teams.

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“The goals for 2022 are mainly to step up to the level of the World Tour and find my place in the group. I want to race finals in the biggest classics and help the team win at least one of the biggest World Tour classics. My focus is starting the season well and being at my best in the classics to make a good figure there. Of course, it would be great to race at the Tour de France, but in that case, it will come through strong racing in the spring. So, my focus is there, so the Tour may come as a bonus if I should get the opportunity.”

Hoelgaard kicked off his season yesterday in the Vuelta a Comunitat Valenciana, and he is expected to be riding a heavy early-season schedule that will include the Volta ao Algarve, Opening Weekend, Paris-Nice and Milano-Sanremo before attacking the main block of the cobbled classics.