Happy New Year!
It is a Christmas tradition to invite riders and team friends in the Lillehammer region for a round of cross-country skiing in our beautiful tracks. I completely misjudged my shape, the conditions and the consequences of being an amateur among pros. After 45km in 3:30 together with a group of 10 horses I had to tell girlfriend and kids that dad is dead meat for the rest of the day. One of the strongest: our Chairman, Vegar Kulset.
I will now spend time on the sofa crossing fingers for the best skier in the world – Tour de Ski is yours Johannes!
THE UCI POINT SYSTEM
The new system rewards top performances in the biggest races in the world and put emphasis on the importance of a roster with depth. Both aspects seem to be fair from my perspective. However, then I also suggest that the UCI secures participation for the best-ranked ProTeams in the biggest races. Frankly speaking, it is strange to see ProTeams ranked >50 (or not even ranked at all?) racing Grand Tours.
What does the system mean for Uno-X? Well, first of all we have to plan well. Then, we need to perform well. All in all, we are ambitious in our long-term strategy of developing the depth in our squads. We are very aware of our position and our challenges.
I am confident in how Kurt Asle and Alexandra will lead us in this.
GRAND TOUR IN 2023?
Still no confirmations. I am excited, nervous and impatient. It is out of our hands, but I honestly believe we have done everything in our power to receive a wild card invitation. Now, we just have to wait and see. I really would like to travel to Paris in early January 😉
Photo: Thomas Maheux / A.S.O.
2023 ROSTER FACTS
I can spend hours writing about riders we have signed, re-signed and unfortunately decided to let go. We have signed a world-star in Kristoff, big players in Koster, Dideriksen, Confalonieri, a world-talent in J. Kulset and we have re-signed with the Norwegian next gen in Ysland and Ottestad.
A special thanks to Torjus, Iver, Morten, Lars and Kristian. I wish you all the best in the future!
Syver – at the end of the day, that very unfortunate accident in 2018 forced you to retire. It feels unfair. You deserved better. But don’t worry – you will be just fine. In all possible ways. Because of who you are and how you treat others. We are proud of you.
Women’s WorldTeam
- Riders signed: Koster (24), Dideriksen (24), Confalonieri (24).
- Riders re-signed: Ysland (25), Ottestad (25).
Men’s ProTeam
- Riders signed: Kristoff (25), Bendixen (24).
- Riders signed from devo: Hansen (24), Fredheim (25), Kulset M (24).
- Riders re-signed: Kulset S (24), Bugge (23), Abrahamsen (24), Blikra (23), Skaarseth A (25).
- Riders not re-signed: Sleen, Skaarseth I, Hulgaard, Saugstad.
- From rider to performance coach: Kulset K.
- «Forced to retire»: Wærsted.
Men’s DevoTeam
- Riders signed: Kulset J (27, pro from 24), Grenaae (24), Hansen (24), Landbo (24), Larsen (24), Madsen (24), Nordhagen (24).
- Riders re-signed: Brynsrud (23), Bevort (23), Dalby (26, pro from 25), Sylling (23), Løland (25, pro from 24).
- Riders not re-signed: Skivild, Aagaard, Johansson.
In 2023 we will have 24 pros from Norway and 12 pros from Denmark. In our women’s team we will have riders from 8 nations. We will have 8 devo riders from Norway, and 4 from Denmark.
To sum-up: Uno-X contracts 32 riders from Norway, 16 riders from Denmark and 8 riders from the rest of Europe.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
