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Can a largely unknown, skinny 19-year-old be a Tour de France winner in the next few years?
Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe is betting on it.
The budding super team unveiled its new U23 development team this week as part of a larger strategy of building a future yellow jersey winner.
Now backed by energy drink giant Red Bull, the German-based WorldTour team is feeding its own base to plant the seeds for tomorrow’s superstars today.
“The leap from the U19 category straight into the WorldTour is a big one,” said John Wakefield, director of development at Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe. “With the new U23 team, we are creating a much smoother development process from U19 to the pro ranks.”
The go-between squad will give top riders a chance to race in top-level U23 races with a calendar that offers racers a chance to learn how to win, all with WorldTour-level coaching, nutrition, and support.
Also read: When transfers go wrong
Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe already boasts a junior team, called GRENKE-Auto Eder U19, and this new U23 setup will serve as a bridge between the junior ranks and the demands and pressure of the WorldTour.
“Just like the U19 team, the U23 squad will compete in the key races on the calendar, offering the best opportunities for growth,” Wakefield said. “Next season, Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe will have the most complete and seamless talent development program in professional cycling.”
The team — called Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe Rookies — will be managed by ex-pro Gregor Gazvoda, with an ambitious goal of preparing young riders for the WorldTour.
Cesare Benedetti, the recently retired Italian pro, and Pello Olaberria, a former Spanish professional with a background in development programs, will both join as sports directors.
Race heats up for young talent
Red Bull is the latest WorldTour team to commit to a U23-focused development squad that serves both as feeder for its top pro team as well as giving the team a chance to develop strong links to the peloton’s most promising young riders.
Development squads can cost the well-funded super teams up to $1 million annually to operate and there’s no guarantee that the riders will stay committed to a franchise if and when they hit it big. The investment is worth it, however, if they can find one diamond in the rough.
Officials unveiled an impressive 11-rider roster packed with some of the mosts promising young talent.
#Staff Sous la responsabilité du Directeur du Développement John Wakefield, Gregor Gazvoda arrive en provenance de @TirolKTMCycling comme Manager de cette équipe Rookies. Il sera assisté par les Directeurs Sportifs Cesare Benedetti et Pello Olaberria (@euskaltelteam cette année). pic.twitter.com/8g7a2yeAoy
— Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe FR (@RBH_ProCyclingF) October 21, 2024
Among them is newly crowned junior road race world champion Lorenzo Finn, Danish rider August Clemmensen, and highly touted German talent Paul Fietzke, a silver medalist in the road race at the 2023 U19 World Championships and a bronze and silver medalist at this year’s European Championships.
Lennart Jansch, a 23-year-old German, is a former speed skater who transitioned to road racing in 2024, and posted a string of encouraging top-10s.
The new development team will be registered as a UCI Continental Team, riding under a German license, officials confirmed.
“With an enhanced scouting unit, the goal is to discover and groom talent for a career in the WorldTour,” officials said.
With aging veteran Primož Roglič still at the center of the elite men’s team, Red Bull brass know they urgently need fresh legs.
Can Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe give established recruiting kings UAE Team Emirates a run for its money in discovering young talent?
This project will go a long way.
U23 team for 2025:
Theodor August Clemmensen (DEN), Paul Fietzke (GER), Lorenzo Finn (ITA), Romet Pajur (EST), Adrien Boichis (FRA), Davide Donati (ITA), Lennart Jasch (GER), Marco Martín (ESP), Sebastian Putz (AUT), Callum Thornley (GBR) and Luke Tuckwell (AUS).
