Bjorn Koerdt is about to take one of the biggest steps in his young career. After a promising first season in the Men’s program, the 21-year-old rider is preparing to line up for his very first Grand Tour: the Vuelta a España. From weeks of altitude training to fine-tuning at the Arctic Race of Norway and Circuit Franco-Belge, Bjorn now feels ready for the challenge of three relentless weeks of racing in the Spanish heat.
A year of progress
Looking back on his first season at WorldTour level, Bjorn admits it has already surpassed his expectations. “I’ve exceeded my own expectations,” he says. “It’s a big step up from where I was, but I’ve done a lot of big races and a lot of race days. I’ve really felt myself progress over the year, and the next step for me is definitely this first Grand Tour.”
His return to racing at the Arctic Race of Norway confirmed that the hard work is paying off. “Norway was a nice race to get back going again,” he explains. “The legs were pretty good and I showed some good signs. Together with last week’s one-day race, Circuit Franco-Belge, it was the perfect final step before the Vuelta.”
Facing the challenge of La Vuelta
When Bjorn thinks of the Vuelta, two words come to mind immediately: long and hot. “It’s always challenging with the weather at the Vuelta,” he says. “It’s the longest race you can do, with a lot of climbing. But I’m no stranger to racing in the heat and I’ve done plenty of altitude metres this year, so I feel prepared.”
The mental and physical challenge of three weeks on the road is something he’s thought about, but he knows some surprises are inevitable. “I think the hardest thing will be the stuff you’re not expecting,” he reflects. “Unplanned moments in a race like this. The length, the level, the difficulty; you can’t see it all from the outside. But I’ll do my best to overcome those challenges.”
