Team GRENKE – Auto Eder starts the final stage of their season's preparations with a training camp at Lake Garda. A new international line-up aims to once again make BORA – hansgrohe's U19 selection the world's best junior cycling team.
In 2024, Team GRENKE – Auto Eder will line up with eight riders, just like last year. Yet, this season brings significant changes for the U19 squad of the UCI WorldTeam BORA – hansgrohe. With GRENKE, they've secured a strong main sponsor. Moreover, the team has moved organizationally closer to the structures of BORA – hansgrohe, which is evident in the jersey design inspired by the professionals. Additionally, the team's composition has shifted, with five new young athletes among the eight members. This international group is set to reinforce the team's claim as the top junior cycling team worldwide.
The eight-member squad is led by Paul Fietzke (Germany), last year's silver medallist at the Road World Championships. Theodor Clemmensen (Denmark) and Kryštof Král (Czech Republic) are also entering their second season with GRENKE – Auto Eder. The trio was already among the world's elite last year and is poised to build on those successes. Lorenzo Finn (Italy), a strong climber, has also been signed for his second season in the U19 category. Making their debut in the juniors are Noah Lindholm Møller Andersen (Denmark) and Thibaut Van Damme (Belgium). Both are considered promising talents who have already proven their abilities in the U17 category. The same goes for Patrick Casey (Ireland) and Anatol Friedl (Austria), who secured their GRENKE – Auto Eder spots through the Red Bull Junior Brothers youth program, outperforming over a thousand participants.
After completing a cycling training camp in Mallorca and a cross-country skiing camp in the Ötztal valley at the end of last year, the squad under Sports Director Dr. Christian Schrot has another cycling camp scheduled at Lake Garda from February 21st to March 3rd. Here, the junior athletes aim to put the finishing touches on their season preparation before starting their first competition at the Belgian stage race, the Guido Reybrouck Classic, on March 16th and 17th. Like last year, the U19 team from BORA – hansgrohe is set to embark on a demanding race schedule, including iconic races such as Paris-Roubaix (April 7th) and the Tour of Flanders (May 19th). The Tour du Valromey (July 10th-14th), considered the Tour de France of U19 cycling, is another key fixture. The season is set to conclude with the Road World Championships (September 23rd-27th), where the team aims to continue its medal-winning legacy.
GRENKE – Auto Eder 2024
Patrick Casey (Ireland)
Theodor Clemmensen (Denmark)
Paul Fietzke (Germany)
Lorenzo Finn (Italy)
Anatol Friedl (Austria)
Kryštof Král (Czech Republic)
Noah Lindholm Møller Andersen (Denmark)
Thibaut Van Damme (Belgium)
Quotes
"Once again, we've put together a very strong team. Paul Fietzke, Theodor Clemmensen, and Kryštof Král are in their second junior season. They were among the world's elite last year and are set to improve even more. Joining them are five new riders, each a considerable talent. Our objectives remain to secure top finishes in the major spring classics, the Tour du Valromey and the Road World Championships." – Dr. Christian Schrot, Sports Director
"The new main sponsor, the new jersey design, and the top-notch roster show it – our U19 team has taken another big step forward over the winter. It fills me with great pride, as we have been committed to fostering talent in cycling with this team for 17 years now. The last two years, winning gold and silver at the Road World Championships, were a confirmation of this commitment. In 2024, we want to pick up right where we left off and present ourselves again as the world's best U19 team." – Ralph Denk, Team Manager