Lidl-Trek sign Danish sensation Albert Philipsen for 2025

Albert Philipsen has signed a four-year contract with Lidl-Trek and will join the American team at the start of 2025. Philipsen, who is the junior world road race champion, is just 17 and will remain with his current squad, Tscherning Cycling Academy, for the 2024 campaign.

Lidl-Trek will support Philipsen’s off-road needs next season and he will race on Trek bikes from January 1, 2024.

The signing is a major coup for Lidl-Trek, with the team edging out Bora-Hansgrohe, UAE Team Emirates, Ineos Grenadiers and Jumbo-Visma for the Philipsen’s signature.

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As well as becoming the junior world road race champion, Philipsen enjoyed a consistently excellent season in 2023. He took European Championships titles in both the individual time trial and mountain bike XCO. The Danish rider will link up with his future teammates at their winter training camp this month.

“For me, Lidl-Trek was just the best match. My most important criteria when I had to choose my upcoming team, was to find the one that could best help me develop as a rider,” Philipsen said in a press release issued by Lidl-Trek.

“I could really feel from the start how enthusiastic and passionate the people working in the team were, while still focused on not rushing the process and not putting too much pressure on my shoulders. With my multi-discipline approach, it was also important for me to find a team that not only had the best setup on the road, but also on the MTB and cyclocross, and I really feel that Lidl-Trek does that.”

The 17-year-old added that his ultimate aim was to become the best all-rounder in the world and that while road would be his primary target, he would continue to mix disciplines.

“I’m really looking forward to getting to know everyone on the team. As a Dane I’m particularly excited to join Mads Pedersen and Mattias Skjelmose. In the next few years my plan is to continue to mix the different disciplines, but primarily focus on the road,” he said.

“I want to keep focusing on the process, and work on some of my weak points. For me that will be my general experience and tactical skills. I’m still trying to figure out which races I will focus on in the future. Right now I’m a bit ‘in-between’ as a rider type, so I hope to become the best all-rounder in the world.”

Team boss Luca Guercilena welcomed his new signing, praising the recruitment team within Lidl-Trek and adding that Philipsen had chosen the right home to develop his unique talents.

“Attracting Albert to join Lidl-Trek when so many teams were chasing his signature is a testament to the structure we have built here. A special thanks must go to Markel Irizar [talent scout] and Josu Larrazabal [Head of Performance], whose passion for working with young riders has made Lidl-Trek a great prospect for developing the very best talent,” Guercilena said.

“Our approach with Albert remains the same as it is with all young riders: to give him all the support we can whilst we let him develop naturally, not to rush him. When he joins the team, we plan to set Albert a calendar that incorporates his various disciplines, but with a focus on road racing. On the road he will split his time between racing with our Development Team and the World Tour Team to ensure a balanced progression. Personally, I can’t wait to see Albert put on the Lidl-Trek jersey and begin his professional career with us!”