He has been riding in Asia for several years but now John Ebsen returns to European cycling. Today Androni-Venezuela have announced that they have signed the Danish climber.

Three years ago 25-year-old John Ebsen decided to leave Denmark. The tiny climber found his place in Asian cycling where he has achieved fine results for the continental teams CCN Cycling Team and Synergy Baku Cycling Project.

Now Ebsen has realized a “childhood dream” as he return to Europe and takes a step up the ladder. In 2015 he will be riding for the Italian pro continental team Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela which has had riders like  Manuel Belletti, Johnny Hoogerland, Kenny van Hummel and Franco Pellizotti on the roster. In 2015 the team will be even more multicultural as they have also confirmed the signing of the talented Romanian Sergei Tvetcov.

Ebsen has been involved in long negotiations that also involved the German NetApp-Endura team before he finally signed his contract. Having put pen to paper, he was eager to announce his future plans but in his many years in Asia, he has learnt to be patient.

”I will have a very exciting year with big challenges on the biggest scene and I look forward to becoming a pro continental rider at Androni,” he tells CyclingsQuotes.com before adding that it was now or never.

“I had told myself that if I didn’t get a good contract for next year, I would hang up my bike,” he said.

”Last year I achieved a good result but I didn’t get the contract I was hoping for. This year I have been a bit unlucky with illness and breaks that stayed away on the wrong days, like in Langkawi. Nonetheless, some teams have taken notice of the results that I have achieved during the last few years. I have been approached by managers and pro continental teams who were convinced that I belonged at a higher level,” he said.

To avoid last year’s disappointment, he and his manager have been working on his future a bit earlier and that has paid off.

“This is a childhood dream. I started riding my bike with my father from Holstebro to Struer in 1996. 18 years later I am a professional rider. I have been living like a professional the last couple of years but now I will be riding almost at the highest level,” adds Ebsen who has won stages in smaller races and whose biggest result is probably last year’s 8th place in the Tour de Langkawi.

”My expectations are high. I expect that things will work a bit better next year when I don’t expect to suddenly miss something at certain races. It has been a bit funny to ride in Asia where it is difficult to plan what will happen,” he added.

“My role in the team will be as a domestique,” he admits before adding that he expects things to change when “I have proved that I am capable of more than that.

“My dream is to be the last rider to deliver the star rider on the steep climbs, to be a lieutenant. I have never dreamt about being the big star myself. I know my place and I think that’s a big difference compared to other riders who join the highest level.

“But if I get my chance, I will take it.”