UAE's Matxin explain signing of Julius Johansen: "Riders who are not seen and do not bring points, but without them we would not be here"
Cycling
UAE Team Emirates is a team that signs plenty big stars, but it also needs reliable riders who can take on the role of domestiques throughout the year. Julius Johansen, after a few rocky years, was thrilled to move back up to the World Tour and is excited to take on this role, explains Joxean Matxin.
"He has great numbers, he is a rider who can do well on the track too. In the past few years he has had a few problems, but the characteristics are there," Matxin explained to Bici.Pro. "After the World championship victory as a junior he raced in a continental team, then he moved to Uno-X to arrive at Intermarché in 2023. He stayed there for two seasons. In the end the team left him out for 2024 and he started again with a continental team".
That continental team was Sabgal / Anicolor, the Portuguese team signed him and although the calendar featured plenty hilly and mountainous races, he still performed well and this talent was recognized.
He was brought into UAE under no illusions of being a leader. Matxin had previous to his signing said that the team was looking for a rider to fill this specific role, to chase on long flat days and works for the team, without the pressure of chasing his own results on the road. "... He is an athlete we can count on for the whole year. That he can cover any absences due to falls or illnesses, a figure capable of balancing the team well. He can also become part of Molano's train".
"Absolutely, he knows what we need and why he is here. His role is well defined and for me and the team these riders are fundamental. Having a guy who can handle a 200-kilometer race is an essential resource. Just like Novak and Majka are uphill," Matxin continues. "There are many riders who are not seen and do not bring points, but without them we would not be here".
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A team as wealthy as UAE does not sign many riders who are thankful for just being in this position, but the Dane is one of them. He was thrilled with the signing and an environment that will be completely different.
"Yes, because they are not athletes you take with the aim of being able to get you results, but for quality and quantity. Here he will have a defined role. For an athlete like him, racing in a professional or continental team is not ideal. In those teams they ask you to bring results, but if you are not used to it you do not perform," the Spaniard explains.
"... In 2024 with Sabgal/Anicolor he won some national races and did well at the Volta a Portugal. He is an important rider in terms of data, but he is also good in the time trial [...] Then, being a good time trialist, he will have his chances in this discipline. We are sure that he knows what he has to do and is ready to do it".
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