Top under 23 talent to make step up to WorldTour level
After a stunning season where he won the under 23 Paris-Roubaix, took the overall classification in the Flèche du Sud and the Triptique des Monts et Châteaux and scooped the under 23 national time trial championship title, Bob Jungels has now secured a WorldTour contract for the next two years.
The 20 year of Luxembourg rider has competed for the Leopard Trek team this year, the development squad for RadioShack Nissan, and now moves up to the bigger setup. The news comes as he lines out in the Under 23 world championship road race today.
“This is amazing,” the former junior time trial world champion and twice under 23 European TT champion said. “I’ve been on the bike for more than thirteen years now, since I was six. It has always been my goal to turn professional. I’ve reached this goal now. After this good season this is a big bonus.
“I am really happy and proud to be part of this team. I can only learn from the experience of the team…this is a big step forward in my career.”
While general manager Johan Bruyneel’s future in the team and the sport is currently uncertain due to the USADA charges against him, he had a big say in bringing Jungels on board.
“As we are a Luxembourgish team, it is obvious that we keep a close eye on the talent from there,” the Belgian said. “Moreover Bob Jungels is more than the biggest Luxembourgish talent since Andy Schleck…Jungels is one of the best U23 riders in the world. The Leopard Trek Continental team proved to be the perfect school and environment for young talent.”
He said that the priority is to bring the rider on gradually and not to rush things. “Bob’s team director Adriano Baffi convinced me that Bob has the right attitude and that he is not at his limit yet. We will give him opportunities to learn, taking care not to burn him out. Bob is still young. He still has a long career ahead of him.”
With this gradual progression in mind, Jungels said it was certain that he wouldn’t do the Tour de France in 2013. In fact, as a young first year pro, it seems unlikely he’ll do a Grand Tour. However he plans to do other big events. “I would like a taste of some WorldTour and HC races like the the Eneco Tour and the Tours of Poland and Luxembourg,” he said, “as well as a semi-Classic early in the season. We’ll see. The main goal in my first year will be to get some experience and to help the team.”