"New Pogacar" and Baby Giro winner signs with Bahrain: "One day I’ll fight for a Grand Tour podium"

In Italy, Omrzel beat Luke Tuckwell (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe), Pavel Novák (Movistar next year), and Jørgen Nordhagen (Visma | Lease a Bike), among others. Next year, he will really be competing with the best. “For sure, the big dream of every young cyclist is to one day become a pro rider, and I was no exception,” the Slovenian says on the team's website. “To already have the opportunity to turn professional after just my first season at the U23 level is truly indescribable for me.”

This year, the youngster has already shown excellent things in his opportunities at the highest level. “As a young rider with hopefully a long career ahead, it’s incredibly important to be surrounded by such a strong team of people who not only teach me how to become a better cyclist but also how to grow as a person. This season, I was given a few chances to experience racing at the pro level, and that only gave me more motivation and hunger for the future.”

Omrzel finished fourth in the Tour of Slovenia, where he was the only teenager in the top 40. His climbing legs have already earned him the nickname “the new Tadej Pogacar,” but he has decided not to join UAE Team Emirates - XRG: he is staying with Bahrain. “Joining this team was without a doubt the best decision I’ve made. The staff and riders across the whole team always gave me their best, and our results are just proof of the hard work we put in together.”

The Slovenian already has big plans for next year. "Looking ahead to next season, my goals are not only to achieve strong results in high-level races but also to continue improving as both a rider and as a person. I know that if I keep showing my commitment and dedication to this team, I will earn more opportunities to deliver strong results and maybe one day even fight for a podium in a Grand Tour. I truly believe I have the potential to succeed in this sport, and I will give everything I can to make my dreams a reality."