Asbjørn Kragh Andersen
Team DSM are pleased to announce that Asbjørn Kragh Andersen and Nico Denz have both extended their contracts with the team until at least the end of 2022.
Asbjørn Kragh Andersen (DEN)
Having joined in 2019, Kragh Andersen has proven to be a valuable team player in his three years so far with Team DSM both on and off the bike. A strong rider on the flat and short punchy climbs, Kragh Andersen has played a pivotal role in several team successes, helping the team to wins at the Herald Sun Tour, Nokere Koerse and Omloop van het Houtland to name a few. Using his power, Kragh Andersen has also been able to pick up some good finishes himself with the team, claiming sixth on the final stage at the Tour of Guangxi in 2019 and fifth at the Danish national championship road race in 2020.
Kragh Andersen said: “I’m super happy to extend my contract with Team DSM. I really like working with the team and the people around me; I especially like the environment here and I feel that this is the perfect place for me to continue getting the most out of myself. I really enjoy being part of the sprint group with the guys, but also developing my role as road captain. We’ve got some young guys in the team and I enjoy being around them, sharing my advice and motivating them during races or at team camps. I strongly believe in the vision that the team has and I think that if we continue working in this way we will have the best lead out in the peloton. I’m looking forward to being a part of that and seeing where that next step takes us.”
Team DSM head of coaching Rudi Kemna added: “Asbjørn’s had an unfortunate season so far with injury, but we have a lot of faith and confidence in him and that’s why we’ve extended our contract together. We really believe that Asbjørn brings a lot of value to the team, he’s a great character off the bike and wears the Team DSM jersey with pride, whatever race he is in. We think that he still has a lot of room to grow as a rider and in his role as road captain, where his experience in hectic moments and great attitude is important. We hope that Asbjørn’s luck turns with his injury, as we’re excited to continue to work together in 2022.”
Nico Denz (GER)
Spending two years with Team DSM so far, Denz has shown to be a versatile rider who gives his all for the team’s goals. 2020 saw Denz take his second professional win after claiming success in the reduced sprint finish at the Tour of Slovakia; a race he would also go on to claim second place on GC for the team. Following on from that, he was an integral member of the team’s double GC podium finish at the Giro d’Italia, shaving the peloton on a memorable stage to Piancavallo; going on to do similar this year as part of the team’s attacking display on the penultimate stage to Valle Spluga-Alpe Motta.
Denz said: “I am very happy to extend my contract with Team DSM. When I first joined the team, I found my place straight away and we had a nice ambience in the group and got some great results together. I strongly believe in how the team works and its anti-doping policy is also very important to me. After a difficult first part of the season for me with many problems, with crashes and sickness, I am really thankful of how everyone in the team stood by my side and gave their best to bring me back to my level. I am proud to be part of this team for one more year.”
Team DSM head of coaching Rudi Kemna continued: “Nico is a really strong rider who brings value on a lot of terrain, he is someone who is very dependable and that we can rely on to give it his all. As part of our sprint group, his power and strength are extremely valuable. We saw this in action recently at Vuelta a Burgos where he did some great pulls in the finale to position Alberto [Dainese]. It’s not only on the bike that Nico is of value to the team, he also always brings a nice atmosphere to whatever group he’s in which is important, keeping those around him motivated. We’re looking forward to continuing to work with Nico next year.”
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