Michael Valgren
Hometown
Østerild, Danmark
Date of birth
7 February 1992
Languages
Danish, English
Nickname
Dolle
Michael Valgren returned to the WorldTour in a big way in 2024. In his first grand tour back after a career-threatening injury, he put in a powerful performance at the Giro d’Italia, finishing second and fourth on stages and riding strong for the whole three weeks. This year, he wants to continue on that trajectory and get back to his winning ways. This is his fifth year on our team and Michael’s 11th year as a pro.
Michael already has eight pro wins to his name, including Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and the Amstel Gold Race.The races he loves most are the classics. Michael shines on the cobbles and on short, punchy climbs.
He grew up in Østerild, on the west coast of Denmark, and when he was a kid, he would race between towns by the North Sea, pretending that he was in the Tour de France. His favorite road is still the stretch through the dunes between the fishing villages of Klitmøller and Hanstholm, where he got started. He lives in Denmark now with his family and enjoys taking his kids out on the local roads whenever he is home.
Question & answer
What's your first cycling memory?
Riding around the my neighbourhood “playing” that I was doing the Tour de France.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be? Why?
I would love to have a tail wind button to use in bike races, just to attack in the head wind and beat the others.
If you had to cook dinner for the team, what would be on the menu?
I’d probably cook “flæskesteg,” a Danish traditional meal. It’s pork with potatoes and a lovely gravy with some pickled red cabbage.
What is your favorite training session?
Long endurance with friends
What’s the first thing you do when you get home after being away at a race?
I organize everything, as I’m on the move the whole time. Then, I’m set to go for the next race and don’t have to think about it at all.
