Dutchman Danny van Poppel has been named “the most exciting rider” in the Trek team by manager Luca Guerncilena, which is some feat considering the talent on the team: Fabian Cancellara, Andy and Frank Schlek, Bob Jungels, Jasper Stuyven...
"I am happy to be here," the younger of the two Van Poppel brothers told Cyclingnews at the team launch. "But I am also very happy that the team see that Boy is a very good rider too."
Boy is the older of the two men and they are the sons of multiple Tour de France stage winner Jean Paul van Poppel.
“I don't think we'll ever ride apart, in other teams I mean. I trust Boy 100 per cent when he does the lead-out. We live in the same village and we train together all the time. He knows exactly what I want and what I can do in a sprint. Riding as brothers really gives us an edge. But he also has qualities that I don't have like riding up hills fast and do a good sprint afterwards" said Danny.
Danny competed at last years Tour de France and was the youngest ever competitor at the event since the Second World War. Despite this, he was disappointed to earn he will not do a Grand Tour this year.
"Yes, I was disappointed when I heard there won't be a Grand Tour for me this year. This is a different team though. They can win a Grand Tour, like the Tour, with the Schlecks. The fact that they are so careful with young riders is one of the reasons that I decided to ride for Trek. They have a lot of youngsters but are also very careful with those young riders. Plus there are not a lot of sprinters on the team either."
He is now no longer the youngest rider in the World Tour anymore either, as Matej Mohoric, U23 World Champion and Cannondale rider is now the youngest.
“It was fun at first to be named as youngest rider in the WorldTour but, in the end, I want to remembered for my results," he said.
Boy has no problem helping out his little brother saying “It's no problem sacrificing my chances for Danny in flat stages or races. I have 100% faith in him and know that he is a very strong sprinter. I know he can win and I can help him. Being his brother, you can go just that little bit further. But I will also tell the team when I feel good in a race and take my own chances when they come."
Boy can also sprint, winning the 2012 Tour of Britain Points Jersey.
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