U19
Benjamin Huber: “My goal is to improve step by step”
New arrival at grenke – Auto Eder: 16-year-old Benjamin Huber, the reigning German cyclo-cross champion, joins the Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe junior team.
The Koppenberg forgives no hesitation. In the spring, the narrow cobbled climb near Oudenaarde is one of the most feared sections of the Tour of Flanders. The gradient peaks at over 20 per cent, and in the past even professionals have had to dismount here. In the autumn, the hill belongs to the cyclo-cross riders. At the Koppenbergcross, one of the most traditional races of the Belgian cyclo-cross season, the course winds its way up the slopes of the hill, through mud, meadows and dense crowds of spectators. It was here that Benjamin Huber competed in his first race last Sunday, alongside grenke – Auto Eder.
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German Cyclo-cross Champion
It was a successful debut. The German narrowly missed out on the top ten. For a 16-year-old in a race of this calibre, that’s a strong result. By signing him, grenke – Auto Eder is continuing the path that defines the team. Ralph Denk, team manager of Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe, founded the U19 team back in 2007. Today, it forms the first stage of a comprehensive youth development programme. From the juniors, the path leads to the Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe Rookies and, in the best-case scenario, all the way to the WorldTeam.
Benjamin Huber
© Flavio Moretti Photography
Benny Huber, as everyone on the team calls him, has made his mark in cyclo-cross. His title as reigning German champion demonstrates just how much talent he has for technical terrain. He describes the appeal of the discipline as follows: “I enjoy the varied terrain and the challenges of cyclo-cross. It’s also a great addition to my training and good preparation for the upcoming road season.”
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Potential off-road and on the road
The 16-year-old sums up what drives him in a few sentences: “I’m a very ambitious person and there’s nothing I’d rather do than be on my bike. I simply enjoy training – whether on my own or with others. I like challenging myself and seeing the progress I’m making.”
Benny has already proven his abilities in cyclo-cross, and we’re convinced he has what it takes to develop into a strong rider on the road as well.
This attitude has also won over the team. Tim Meeusen, Director of Development at Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe, sees Huber as a rider with a bright future: “Benny is a promising young rider with a lot of potential. He has already proven his abilities in cyclo-cross, and we’re convinced he has what it takes to develop into a strong rider on the road as well.”
Benjamin Huber and Lars Peers
© Flavio Moretti Photography
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Goal: Taking the next steps in his career
Those in charge are deliberately avoiding putting any pressure on him. “At just 16 years old, he still has plenty of room for improvement,” says Meeusen. “Our aim is to provide him with the right environment, the necessary support and the right opportunities so that he can take the next steps in his career.”
I want to make the most of this chance to develop further within the team, gain plenty of racing experience and measure myself against the best.
Huber himself “wants to make the most of this chance to develop further within the team, gain plenty of racing experience and measure myself against the best. My aim is to improve step by step.” Among the professionals, the Koppenberg is the scene of major decisions every spring. For Benny Huber, it was the place where his journey with grenke – Auto Eder began. He was just a little way short of the top ten on Sunday. It is precisely these kinds of steps that he aims to take over the next few years.
