Junior World Champion Albert Philipsen on move to Lidl-Trek: "Choosing the right team was the most difficult decision of my young life, but I am convinced that I made the right choice"

Junior World Champion in Glasgow Albert Philipsen is one of the best talents in the peloton and was already signed to Lidl-Trek into the 2025 season. The Dane is also a fan of cyclocross and has made the trip to Belgium this week so as to begin his preparation for the World Championships.

"Conditionally it was fine, my technique is still a bit rusty and rickety. Why am I here? Because I like to do it and because I like the atmosphere surrounding the competitions in Belgium," Philipsen told In de Leiderstrui. "It's one big party. I will now return home for the parties and the Danish cross-country championship, then go to a training camp with my new team and then definitely ride the World Cup in Benidorm and maybe also Hoogerheide if I feel I need extra points with the eye on Tabor.”

He was eighth in Hoogerheide last year, after winning the nationals in Denmark. He is looking to, like several other members of Lidl-Trek and Baloise - Trek Lions, combine the two disciplines together. He tells that Alpecin-Deceuninck also contacted him this season and were a close second for his signing, having similar goals. "Yes, I spoke to them because they are also one of the few teams where you can combine multiple disciplines. So I really liked their project. Choosing the right team was the most difficult decision of my young life, but I am convinced that I made the right choice."

"What made the difference? I spoke with Mads Pedersen in advance and his presence is certainly one of the decisive elements," the Dane admits. "It is always nice to have such an experienced compatriot by your side. I can learn a lot from him and I want to take my first steps in the professional peloton under his wings. And Mads is just a good guy.” The American team has heavily invested in the nation, and has another big figure in Mattias Skjelmose.

He finished 17th in Antwerp, a modest result, but one that he will be looking to work on in order to reach Tabor. He doesn't put too much emphasis on the racing and likely will not be one of the contenders for victory unless he improves in the upcoming month. "This year I am still riding with the ambition to perform as well as possible at the World Championships, but I see the discipline mainly as a way to maintain the competitive rhythm in the winter and as a motivation to also be busy in the winter."

"And to amuse myself. Yes, I know that Lidl-Trek also has a cyclocross team, but it is not the plan to also ride for Baloise-Trek in the winter in the future. If I keep racing, it will be in the colors of Lidl-Trek. You probably won't see me in the field next winter, because I want to prepare my debut in the World Tour as best as possible. But I hope to come back the following winters."