Over the past few weeks, the Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe Rookies riders have already had the chance to gain valuable race experience with the WorldTeam. But on Wednesday, at the UMAG Classic in Croatia, the U23 team will take to the start line for the first time as an independent squad—bringing high ambitions to the Adriatic coast.
“The excitement is overwhelming—I can’t even describe it in words. Even though the Rookies have already put in some race miles, this is where our real journey begins,” says Grega Gazvoda, Head of Rookie Programs at Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe. While all the Rookies have already competed in races this season, their time with the WorldTeam was primarily focused on learning. Now, at the UMAG Classic, they are looking to make their mark.
The team will be represented by Adrien Boichies (France), Theodor August Clemmensen (Denmark), Davide Donati (Italy), Paul Fietzke (Germany), Romet Pajur (Estonia), and Callum Thornley (Great Britain). Among their competitors will be two ProTeams from Italy: Team Solution Tech - Vini Fantini and VF Group - Bardiani CSF - Faizanè. “We’ve all trained hard and put in a lot of work, so expectations are high. The hunt for the first podium in Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe Rookies history starts on Wednesday,” says a determined Gazvoda.
The 142-kilometer UMAG Classic is just the beginning of their Croatian campaign. On Sunday, March 9, the team will take on another one-day race, the POREC Classic. Then, from March 13 to 16, they will compete in the Istrian Spring Tour, a stage race along the Adriatic coast.
Photo: Maximilian Fries