Denmark’s best elite women and men will compete in the Copenhagen Sprint.
The UCI has approved that both the women’s and men’s national teams can compete in the Copenhagen Sprint, giving Danish riders a unique opportunity to compete against the world’s elite on home soil. The women will compete on Saturday, June 21, while the men will be in action on Sunday, June 22, on the route from Roskilde to Copenhagen.
Danish riders who compete on WorldTeams and ProTeams, who have been invited by their respective teams, cannot compete for the national team. This, in turn, opens the door for new talents and riders from smaller teams in both Denmark and abroad.
Race Director of Copenhagen Sprint Jesper Tikiøb is delighted with the selection:
“It is good news that the UCI has approved national team participation in Copenhagen Sprint. As organizers, we are part of the Danish Cycling Union and are therefore very concerned that the race is an inspiration for all cycling fans, but also an opportunity to give Danish talents a great chance to gain experience in participating in cycling races at World Tour level. Finally, the decision opens up the participation of experienced riders whose teams are not starting. Overall, a good opportunity for Danish cycling and something to look forward to for the audience. We are very much looking forward to welcoming the Danish national teams on Saturday and Sunday, and we know that they will do everything to play a role and take advantage of their wild card position. We are very pleased about that.”
Several World Tour riders line up in red and white
On the men’s side, Copenhagen Sprint marks the debut at World Tour level for national coach Michael Mørkøv, and he has already put the first names on the team card. The Danish champion Rasmus Søjberg, who currently rides for Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale, will be part of the national team. This also means that the audience will have a rare opportunity to see the Danish national team jersey as part of the Danish national team. The race in Copenhagen will also be the last race before the Danish Championship in Aalborg the following week, where the Danish national team jersey will once again be at stake.
In addition to Søjberg, the national team will also be joined by some of Denmark’s most experienced riders: Kasper Asgreen and Casper Pedersen. Already, a national team is emerging that will start with ambitions to do well in the very first edition of the Copenhagen Sprint.
“I am personally very proud to be able to lead a strong Danish national team on home soil. A race I would have loved to have raced myself, but I will enjoy being in the car at this big event,” says head national coach Michael Mørkøv. “We are fielding a team with several WorldTour riders, where Rasmus Søjberg and Kasper Asgreen in particular have shown that they can compete with the best.”
With the participation of the national team, a public festival in the spirit of cycling is planned – with Danish riders in the lead role in the heart of Copenhagen.