Hellemoses Grand Tour dream realized after a tough start

Danish cyclist Asbjørn Hellemose is on the cusp of realizing a lifelong dream as he prepares for his Grand Tour debut at the Vuelta a España. The 27-year-old rider for the Jayco team described the upcoming three-week race as a "big thing" and something he has "dreamed about since [he] was very little."

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It is a big thing. It is something I have dreamed about. I have cycled since I was very little, and this is something I have sat and watched. Now it is my turn, and I am very proud that I have reached this point.

Hellemose's path to cycling's elite stage has been far from straightforward. After leaving his native East Jutland to race as an amateur in Italy, he secured a World Tour contract with Lidl-Trek (then Trek-Segafredo). He rode alongside stars like Mads Pedersen and Mattias Skjelmose in 2022 and 2023 but found himself without a contract for the 2024 season. He spent time racing for a small Italian team on gravel, actively seeking a return to the professional circuit.

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It is one of the things I want to achieve in my career, so I am very proud that I have fought my way back and made myself worthy of this. There are only three Grand Tours a year, and there are only eight spots in each. So it is huge.

Despite not having overwhelming results during this period, the World Tour team Jayco recognized potential in Hellemose's training and racing data. This led to his return to the highest level of the sport, where he will now be tested in a grueling three-week stage race. "It is one of the things I want to achieve in my career, so I am very proud that I have fought my way back and earned this," Hellemose stated, emphasizing the exclusivity of Grand Tour opportunities.

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This year has been very, very difficult. I got very sick at the start of the season, and we found out there were some symptoms of stress. I have gotten that under control, and I think I have come back very well.

Life at the top has also presented significant challenges. Hellemose admitted that the current season has been "very, very difficult," citing severe illness and symptoms of stress early on. However, he views this experience as a catalyst for growth, stating, "I think I have learned a lot from it. I was pushed a bit over the edge, but it can also improve me as a cyclist." He believes managing stress and prioritizing self-care will be crucial, not only for his performance in the Vuelta but also for his overall well-being as an athlete. Hellemose anticipates a strong mental component will be key to navigating the demands of the race, an aspect he feels can only be truly understood through experience.

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I think I have learned a lot from it. I was pushed a bit over the edge, but it can also improve me as a cyclist. For example, in terms of just taking better care of myself in general.