Since the start of the 2023 season, Team NPV Carl Ras Roskilde Junior riders have climbed on the podium in almost all races they’ve participated in, both in Denmark and abroad. Over the years, the team has consistently ranked as one of the world’s top junior cycling teams. 2023 is no exception.

The juniors started their road season with Trixxo Ster van Zuid-Limburg in Belgium, where Patrick Frydkjær won the prologue and the race overall. Theodor Storm later took third place in Paris-Roubaix with the national team. Most recently, the team raced the Dutch EPZ Omloop van Borsele, where Theodor Storm won and Frydkjær came in 2^nd. Other team members finished the race 6^th and 10^th. An overall impressive start to the season.

This past weekend, Saturday April 29 and Sunday April 30, Argon 18 accompanied the team to the E3 Saxobank Classic in Belgium and De Slag van Woensdrecht in Holland. It was time for the puncheurs to show what they’re made of. Two races, that turned out to be old-school racing from the gun, relentless cobbles and lots of battles on the steep climbs.

We had the chance to sit down after the race with rider, Patrick Frydkjær, who took 7^th place in E3 Saxobank Classic and 3^rd place in De Slag van Woensdrecht, and Sports Director, Rasmus Pedersen, for a chat about the secret behind the team’s successes.

The keywords are teamwork are willingness to sacrifice yourself for the team.

Argon 18: The team has won almost everything this spring. A great start to the season. Why is the team performing that good?

Rasmus Pedersen: The season start has been outstanding. They are riding as a team. All for one, and one for all. There is nobody above the team. A mantra, that we have been practicing all winter, to teach them that they need to rely on each other to succeed individually. And this shows clearly in the first races of the season, where everything has been working seamlessly for the team.

A18: With a seventh and a third place in the weekend's two races in Belgium and the Netherlands, it can be said that the team is continuing to show great form. How did you experience the race?

Patrick Frydkjær: I’ve been feeling good in the start of the season and had solid results, with a win in Limburg. I knew I was in good shape and could do good in the two races.

It was two really hard races. Overall, we are satisfied with the weekend. E3 Saxo Bank Classic was a tough race with a strong peloton. The route took us over two mythical climbs, Kwaremont and Paterberg, after which I came home in the 15-man front group. I hit another rider's rear wheel in the sprint and ended up 7th, which I'm okay with.

On Sunday in Holland, the focus was to ride aggressively. We tried a lot on the Dutch roads and rode the race hard from the front. We came home in a sprint where Peter Bekhi rode a lead-out for me, and I finished third. So, all in all, a successful weekend for the whole team.

Rasmus Pedersen: They were in the front of the race the whole day, in the top 20 all the time. They rode together the whole race, which is important, so they can communicate and help each other. We have been talking a lot about the importance of this, and it’s a pleasure to see them actually do it in a race at this level. I’m so proud of the riders. I almost shed a tear when Peter Bekhi went around the last corner, in a lead out, with Patrick riding his wheel. Peter sacrificed himself for Patrick who took 3^rd in the sprint. A victory for the whole team. They couldn’t have achieved the same individually. They are very aware of that. And that’s one of the main reasons why the team is doing so good this year.

A18: How do you compare this level of competition to the races you’ve been riding in Denmark? And are you surprised that the whole team is performing so good?

Patrick Frydkjær: The Danish races can be just as tough because there are so many good riders. But the level is generally higher in the UCI races abroad, where everyone is strong, aggressive and fighting for the good positions before the climbs and cobbles. We are learning a lot from racing these races.

A18: What are your expectations for the season?

Patrick Frydkjær: My first goal this year was to be selected on the national team for the Course de la Paix Juniors in May. And I succeeded. Together with Theodor Storm, from the team, I will represent Denmark in the Czech Republic. I'm really looking forward to that and I expect to do really good - maybe even get on the podium. That would be great.

My next goal is to get on the podium at the Danish National Championships in June but first, the Course de la Paix.

Photo credit: Fellusch