Uno-X keen on "possible participation in the Tour de France" as soon as possible

Uno-X Pro Cycling Team is a team on the rise, with a long-term project that is beginning to be competitive within the World Tour teams themselves. Eyeing the promotion and the Tour de France, many of their current actions revolve around those clear objectives.

In an interview with Wielerflits, Gino Van Oudenhove said that the team will stick to it's principle of developing local talent in the coming years "...because there are always riders who leave for other teams. That is normal. And we stick to the principle that we only train and attract Norwegians and Danes. That provides our identity.”

“A bit like Euskaltel Euskadi did with the Basques. We think it should be possible, if you have the best Danes and Norwegians together, to evolve into an absolute top team," he stated. Uno-X Pro Cycling Team was born out of the old Team Ringeriks - Kraft structure, and into a Pro Team in 2020. Having seen talents like Markus Hoelgaard and Andreas Leknessund leave the team, it remains a big hotspot for young talents, of which the team currently thrives on. 

"As far as young people are concerned, we are not bad for the time being. Rasmus Tiller will stay with us for at least another two years. We also have the Johannessen twins under contract until then, apart from a few other talents," he said. The team has it's future assured, and with high ambitions and an ever-increasing presence in the peloton, it's becoming an even more attractive squad for foreign riders to join. Alexander Kristoff has signed a three-year deal which will boost the team's presence and results even further. 

“What if Dave Brailsford calls and wants to snatch boys with a lot of money? Well, then we'll just start again, huh," he admits. It's not unusual for the smaller teams to loose their leaders which go onto a World Tour contract, but Uno-X has done a good job keeping it's main figures.  "Look, this isn't a team that's under pressure from the sponsors. After a bad year, Uno-X will not drop out. It is and remains a long-term project. That also makes it great for us, team leaders and coaches, to work," he details. 

The team is looking to rise to World Tour level as soon as possible, but chances are that will likely be only as soon as 2026 when the new UCI licenses are given - to the similarity of the current UCI points battle which will see teams relegating. “I know, three years is still a long time. It shouldn't go too fast either. But what could be faster is a possible participation in the Tour de France," he argues however.

Although Tour de France wildcards are vastly reserved for the French teams, the Norwegian squad is looking to boost their way into it from strong riders, results and possibly classifications. Oudenhove admits that it's debut in the Grand Boucle may come earlier. "Extra important for our appearance. Although we have to rely on a wildcard from organizer ASO for this for the time being," he concluded.