Thanks to the addition of Danish rider Julius Johansen (21) and Frenchman Hugo Page (20), Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux can rely on two young talents from 2022. The two men were one of the best riders in the junior category, the first one was even crowned World Champion in Bergen (Norway) in 2017.
This world title concluded the successful year 2017 in which Julius Johansen also won world titles on the track and the national title on the road and in the time trial, a performance the Danish rider repeated in the U23 category in 2020. The last couple of years, Johansen focused on the team pursuit Olympic Games in Tokyo, in which he won a silver medal with the Danish team last month. The Danes with Johansen have an excellent track record, because after a European title, they were also crowned World Champions in a new world record this spring, a performance which led to the distinction of « Sportive performance of the year » in his country. After two years with Uno-X Pro Cycling Team, the rider from Blovstrød will discover the World Tour with Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux until the end of 2023.
Frenchman Hugo Page is also a key rider of his national team for several years. He received the confidence of his national coach to represent France at the upcoming U23 European championships, both in the road race as the time trial. The rider born in Chartres has three UCI victories on his palmares: La Bernaudeau, the Tour des Portes du Pays d’Othe and a stage at the Tour du Pays de Vaud. Hugo Page has proven his time trial qualities by winning the Chrono des nationals in the national champion’s jersey. After his development with the continental team of Groupama-FDJ, he will start a new chapter with Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux for the next two seasons.
« I'm on the eve of a major turn in my career. After devoting several years to the track, I will now turn my focus to road racing. Therefore, I wanted to join a team which could get the best out of me. I want to develop myself in the classics, one week stage races or be part of the team's success in the sprint train for example. The team's offensive race style with all riders receiving opportunities seduced me. I'm convinced that my role will enable me to show myself. The atmosphere radiated by the team appeals to me and I can't wait to experience it from inside. Although I work hard and pay attention to each detail, the fun part of cycling is what is most important for me. I'll prepare myself well this winter in order to be ready to start this new adventure with Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux in January. I already have some nice victories on my palmares, but I'm convinced that I've still got a long and nice way to go! »
« I can't wait to learn and progress with Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux. A Belgian structure, in which a familiar atmosphere reigns, is with no doubt the best environment for the development of a young cyclist. The long term project of the team immediately attracted me, because the performance team had already a plan for me in mind. I want to take advantage of each opportunity to make progression, especially in the classics and time trials. Living at the performance centre of the French team teached me that I perform best when I'm surrounded by people who are close to me, who support me. So I'm convinced that I'm joining an environment in which I'll be able to realize my ambition! »
« We based our recruitment on two axes: on the one hand, on experimented riders with international class like Alexander Kristoff and Sven Erik Bystrøm, and on the other hand on young talents. I'm convinced that Julius Johansen and Hugo Page are part of this last category. They've shown that they were among the best riders of their generation, and we want to enable them to step up in our structure by offering them an environment adapted to their evolution, both in terms of performance as of coaching. »
« With Julius Johansen, we welcome a very talented rider. Even though his focus was on the track, he's shown already excellent results on the road. At the age of 18, he won the general classification of the Olympia's Tour and finished 5th of the Tour of Denmark. He will be a reinforcement for our team in individual and team time trials, but also for our sprint train. Our race programme will enable him to develop and to become a fixed value in our team. After Sven Erik Bystrøm, Julius is the second former world champion joining our structure. It reinforces our project, which is attiring the biggest talents of the sport. During his first season in the World Tour, we'll help Julius progress step by step, and the attention he pays to details goes hand in hand with the plans we established for his development. Also with Hugo Page our scouting team did a good job. The next French generation is again very rich in young talents and we're happy to be able to start working with one of them. I discovered in him the ambition of Guillaume Martin, Biniam Girmay, Quinten Hermans, Lorenzo Rota or Georg Zimmermann, who broke through on the highest level within our structure. We want to achieve the same with Hugo, first by introducing his big engine in the classics and time trials, but also in short stage races and the sprint train. He has a character willing to progress, a young rider focused on his job. On the long term, I'm convinced that he can add stability to our team. »
