2023 sees Frederik enter his second season with the team after a “challenging and disappointing” opening year where he struggled with injuries that plagued his campaign.
Not from a cycling family Frederik got into the sport by watching the Tour de France one summer, which sparked an interest and a “what is this?” so he wanted to give it a try. Two years after that he took more of an interest and joined a local club and increased things step-by-step.
“In the beginning and still now, it was obviously the competition which I like – it is so fast. It’s also a really nice way to spend time with my friends and use my free time well. Now of course it is my work too which is great but it’s those things earlier which made me stick with it.”
Characterising himself as a “goal-oriented”, “opinionated” and a “serious” person, Frederik thinks that mix of attributes helps him as a cyclist because he holds his opinions of value and can have open and honest discussions with people. They also underline what he believes are key characteristics of anyone who wants to compete at the top of sport because you need to be focused on the end goals and be serious when required; although he admits it is good to find the balance of fun as well.
Unfortunately, his opening season with the team was in Frederik’s own words “the worst of my career” after injury kept him off the bike for large portions of it. Nonetheless, he also saw it is an opportunity to work on other parts of his life.
“My first year with the team was the worst year in my career so far but it was also a year with a lot of support and room for personal growth. When you’re not able to perform on the bike and do what you’re supposed to do with the team then it gives room for growth in other places, for example, mentally.”
Looking to take that renewed self-confidence and will power with him into the coming year, Frederik believes that he can become a real asset to the team and wants to simply put “have a year with no injuries and just help the guys and grow into the team”.
Away from cycling he loves coffee and has been using the latest off season to develop his latte art skills, alongside watching several Netflix shows and catching up with friends. You might also find him on the ice rink occasionally too as before he started cycling, he was really into speed skating which Frederik thinks not many people outside of his close friends group know.
