With 12th place in last year's WC, the cycling world became well acquainted with him. Yesterday he marked his debut with the Team
This story was originally published in Norwegian on Trek Nordics blog. If you’re a Norwegian speaker or learner, head to: https://blog.trekbikes.com/no/2022/02/02/markus-hoelgaard-forste-nordmann-pa-trek-segafredo/
At the dawn of the new year Markus Hoelgaard became a Trek-Segafredo rider, and therefore also the first Norwegian in the team. There are admittedly some fast Danes, but Markus is the first Norwegian.
“It was of course very fun to get an offer from, and sign for Trek-Segafredo. Even though Uno-X grew significantly during my time there, it is truly a childhood dream come true when I got the opportunity to race for one of the world’s best teams,” says Markus Hoelgaard.
Whilst he is now flying the Norwegian flag alone, the 27-year-old has still been able to speak his native language with Mads Pedersen and other Danes on the team.
“I have been very well received. Not only by the Danes, but everyone. It is of course nice to have some Danes to speak Norwegian with, but it is a very international team where all communication is in English, so I have quickly found myself at ease and enjoy it already.
How do you describe yourself as a rider?
“I would describe myself as a hard-working rider who copes with most terrain and types of rides, but who has my strength in long and hard bike rides without longer climbs. After I signed with Trek-Segafredo, the focus has been more on the cobblestone classics in Belgium, so I am working on specializing further in those races.:
What are the goals for 2022?
“The goals for 2022 are mainly to step up to the level of the World Tour and find my place in the group. I want to race finals in the biggest classics and help the team win at least one of the biggest World Tour classics.
“My focus is starting the season well and being at my best in the classics to make a good figure there. Of course, it would be great to race at the Tour de France, but in that case, it will come through strong racing in the spring. So, my focus is there, so the Tour may come as a bonus if I should get the opportunity.”
New work tool, The Madone
With the transition to a new team, there is also a new bike to be well acquainted with. Our speed phantom of a bicycle, the Trek Madone, is Markus’ new work tool.
“I very happy with the Madone! It will probably be the bike I will use in the races most important to me, so I have used it as much as possible so far. But I also look forward to trying the Émonda more over the spring in more hilly rides. I am very happy with the bikes and it gives a good sense of security to know that the team is owned by such a large bicycle brand. Then you always know that we have top bikes, and at the same time they are constantly working on developing new models for the future.”
