Filippo Baroncini, Daan Hoole and Asbjørn Hellemose choose to take the step into the World Tour with Trek-Segafredo.
The value of developing young talent cannot be overstated, now more than ever. We are striving to continue our work with promising riders with the addition of three up and coming talents; Filippo Baroncini, Daan Hoole and Asbjørn Hellemose. The trio will be given opportunities to ride as stagiaires later this season before turning professional with Trek-Segafredo in 2022.
Filippo Baroncini, 20 years old, Italy
Filippo will join us from Team Colpack Ballan, a team well known for the development of young talent. He excels in time trials and won the coveted time trial stage at the Giro U23, one of the most important races for developing riders. More recently, Filippo was crowned U23 TT champion of Italy as well as runner up in the national road race.
Baroncini: “In a few weeks, when I’ll wear the Trek-Segafredo jersey for the first time as a stagiaire, I already know it will be a strong emotion. It’s a very important milestone in my career. I’ve already had the opportunity to approach pro-cycling and to understand how hard the step from the U23 category will be, but I’m not afraid to jump into this new adventure. There is a huge motivation in me to show my potential and, of course, to do well for the team.
Ever since I approached cycling I have always been fascinated by Trek-Segafredo. Coming here is a dream come true. There has been a mutual interest that, for me, is a source of great pride. So many young people have grown here. It’s a team that isn’t afraid to give space to youngsters, to offer important opportunities. I can’t wait to get started.”
Markel Irizar, Trek-Segafredo Talent Scout: “Filippo is a rider that we have been following for some time – since last year. We already knew about his potential, which he confirmed by winning an important test, the time trial at the Giro U23. He did a very good Giro because he was working a lot for the eventual winner, his teammate Juan Ayuso. After the Giro, he won the national time trial championship and was second in the road race. We have his data and we already know his potential. He’s going to be a very good time trialist and he will be a big force. He can climb well and we think he can develop his skills to become a very good rider.”
Credit: Colpack Ballan Press Office
Daan Hoole, 22 years old, Netherlands
Daan has raced for the last four seasons at SEG Racing, a Dutch development team with a proven history of helping young riders step up into the World Tour. He has already been able to put his hands in the air this year with a victory at the Italian U23 race, Coppa della Pace.
Hoole: “I’m really excited to join Trek-Segafredo; it’s really a dream team to join with such a big history in cycling. It looks like there’s a great atmosphere in the team and they have an aggressive style of racing which I really like. I hope to continue to improve in the time trials and classics, as well as work on the lead outs. I want to contribute to the success of the team and help them achieve more great things. After the conversations I had with the team management, it was clear to me that Trek-Segafredo are the best choice for me to continue my development. I can’t wait to start my first race for the team and put on the Trek-Segafredo jersey.”
Irizar: “Daan is a very big guy, almost two meters tall, and he makes a very good lead out man, and also he is very strong in time trials. In the last couple of years he has achieved many top results and we want to continue this trend. We especially like him because he will be very useful in the lead out train for our sprinters like Mads Pedersen and Matteo Moschetti. He’ll be like a big horse for the train, but also he will be helpful in the northern classics, he has a big engine which is important to develop to excel in these races.”
Asbjørn Hellemose, 22 years old, Denmark
Asbjørn has been racing in Italy for VC Mendrisio for the last two seasons, picking up experience in short stage races as he develops his skills as a general classification hopeful. He is a well-rounded rider who can climb well and is also strong against the clock.
Asbjørn: “I’m very happy to join Trek-Segafredo. It has been my dream since I was five years old to become a World Tour rider, so the fact that it’s happening, and on a team like Trek-Segafredo is really big for me. I knew after speaking to the management that it was completely the right choice to make to ensure that I keep developing like I have over the last two years. Also, the spirit of the Team seems like something special, which is important for me. Obviously, I’m looking forward to do the races I’ve watched on television and to see how good of an impression I can make on the team. I’m ready to give it everything to help the Team and to secure my development as a rider and as a person.
Irizar: “Asbjørn is a GC rider, last year in the Giro U23 he was 9th and this year he was 5th, although he had bad luck in the TT with a puncture. He is a very good climber and also very good in time trials. He’s a very detail-oriented rider and is smart too, and very importantly, courageous. He likes to attack, which matches our Team’s style. He is similar to our other young Dane, Mattias Skjelmose, and I think he has a big future.”
Luca Guercilena, General Manager: “Since several years we have been investing a lot of attention and effort in developing young riders into top-level professionals. We are very happy to continue this process with Filippo, Asbjørn and Daan – three young riders who we are confident have chosen the right place to grow and acheive potential. It is clear that all three riders are very strong; they have performed well in the under 23 races as we monitored their performance. They share similar qualities; all are good in time trials, especially Filippo, who is also a strong puncheur. Asbjørn has the chance to grow into a talented GC rider at elite level, whilst Daan has a big engine and can perform across the northern classics and fit into our lead out train well.”
