New Pogačar domestique has one year to prove himself: "I want to show the whole world that I deserve this spot"

The announcement of Julius Johansen as the newest addition to UAE Team Emirates-XRG raised eyebrows here and there. But it was true: the Dane joined the team as the latest rider. After a year at the continental level with Sabgal / Anicolor, Johansen is determined to prove that his return to the WorldTour is fully justified.

Johansen became the junior world champion in 2017 and then signed with Team ColoQuick. Two years later, he switched to the Uno-X Pro Cycling Team without achieving any major results. That said, in 2022, he got a chance with Intermarché—Wanty—Gobert Matériaux, as the team was called then. There, too, he failed to break through, after which the Walloon formation decided not to renew his contract. Other teams dared not take the gamble until Sabgal / Anicolor presented itself.

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Johansen wants to show he's worth his spot

"I was super disappointed to leave the WorldTour last year. I had the opportunity to go to Sabgal, where I had quite an okay race program. I didn't have the results that would lead to a contract with UAE, but I was lucky to have the chance to test with the team. I knew Matxin from before as he had been following me for a long time," Johansen told cycling journalist Daniel Benson.

"Fortunately, they needed someone with my qualities, and my tests were outstanding. That eventually led to a contract with the UAE. It was all a bit last-minute, and I didn't hear it was finalized until shortly before the official announcement." Needless to say, 25-year-old Dane is over the moon with his rather remarkable transfer. "When I got the call from Matxin, that was a huge moment for me. Since then, I've been super happy. It was a surprise, but I know I can reach the level needed. It's up to me to show that this is my spot," Johansen said.

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Johansen employed by Intermarché-Wanty

Corona had much influence on Johansen's past performances

Nowadays, a world junior champion is not likely to sign with a Danish continental team. Neither will Johansen. "Maybe I could have shown more if I had been at the highest level. I lost a lot of motivation during the pandemic and, therefore, lost at least two years of my development because we couldn't ride races. I started eating too much and training less because I had little to be excited about," says the power rider.

At Intermarché, Johansen did not have the required level as a result. "And there was maybe also some miscommunication about my role within the team. Now, I have an obvious role: I am one of the first to ride at the head of the pack in most races. From there, I can grow further."

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Among other things, Johansen is Pogacar's new domestique

One year to prove himself to the team and the whole world

The first race where the Dane may do that is the Tour Down Under, his debut race for his new team. With only a one-year contract with UAE and an otherwise unclear race schedule, the 25-year-old Dane realizes he must grab this unique opportunity with both hands. This might have been his last chance if he had not performed this season.

"I have one year to prove myself, and that's exactly what I wanted. They have confidence in me by giving me a contract, and I know my arrival surprised many. But I deserve this place and have worked very hard for it. I will continue to work even harder now that I have the opportunity to work with some of the best riders in the world. I still have room to grow and want to show the world I deserve this spot," the motivated Johansen concluded.

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