By Jaime Naragon

Jakob Fuglsang is not a name many Americans recognize yet…but they all soon will.  This young rider (he’s only 24) on the Saxo Bank squad has already earned quite an impressive list of palmares, and his talent is so strong that this list will certainly continue to grow.
Fuglsang got his start in 2006 riding on the road for Team Designa Kooken and mountain bikes with Cannondale-Vredestein.  As a mountain bike race, Fuglsang won the Danish national championships repeatedly in addition to taking the national championships in 2007.  On the road, he had strong showings in the GP Tell, the 3 Jours de Vaucluse, the Ronde de l’Oise, and Paris-Troyes.  It was his commanding victory in the 2008 Danmark Rundt, however, the solidified him a place on the Danish Team Saxo Bank.
Already this year, he’s defended his title in the Danmark Rundt in addition to taking the overall in the Tour of Slovenia, finishing 3rd in the Danish National Time Trial Championships, and a top-10 overall in both the Volta a Cataluny and Dauphine Libere.
We at Missing Saddle wanted to get to learn more about this exciting young rider, so we asked him a few questions during his preparation for the Tour of Ireland…..

MS:  Congrats on your recent win in the Post Danmark Rundt.  After winning this race last year, how special was it for you to be able to defend your title on home soil?  How did you prepare mentally and physically for this race specifically?
JF:  I was really happy to defend my title in the Post DK Rundt. I didn’t prepare specially for this race as I have the Vuelta as a big objective from this last part of the season. But it’s the biggest race in Denmark, and actually also the biggest yearly sport event, so it also gives a lot of publicity in Denmark.

MS:  What is the cycling atmosphere of Denmark like compared to other European countries?  How has being raised in Denmark impacted your cycling? Have you ever raced in the United States?
JF:  Cycling is pretty popular in Denmark, especially around the Tour de France–the media attention is big. We have had some really good riders over the years, so of course it also help me start and continue cycling.  But, cycling is not national sport in Denmark like it is in Belgium.
No, I have never raced in the US, yet – closest is Mountain Bike World Cups in Canada.

MS:  As a former mountain bike U23 World Champion, do you plan to continue to race mountain bikes when road season is done?  Why or why not?
JF:  No not as it is now. I happy where I am and don’t think that I’ll go back on the mountain bike!

MS:  What type of family support do you receive for your cycling? How frequently are you able to see your family?
JF:  My family have always supported me–but not pushed me–with my cycling. They have more just been on the sideline and ready to help me if I needed or need it. Now that I live on my own in Italy, I don’t get to see my family that often as they still live in Denmark. In average, I’m probably in Denmark three days a month and then two months in the winter.

MS:  You have had a number of top-10 places this year, including stages in the Tour de Slovenie, the Dauphine Libere, and Paris Nice.  With this impressive list of victories, which race do you feel has been your best victory?  Why? What race would you most like to add to your palmares and why?
JF:  It’s always difficult to compare results, but the one that I’m most happy with is my 5th place on Mont Ventoux and 6th overall in Dauphinè. Thats because it was one of my main targets this year and a race where I really wanted to do good.  My best victory on the road is my new stage win in Post Danmark Rundt.I would like, many other riders, to do the Tour and do good there because it’s the biggest and most important race!

MS  Prior to turning Pro with Saxo Bank, you rode for Designa Kooken.  How did your experiences with that team prepare you for the Pro Tour ranks?  Did you always want to sign with Saxo Bank?  Has riding with Saxo met your expectations?  Who are some of your favorite teammates to ride/train with?  Any good Saxo stories you can share?
JF:  I didn’t really do that many road races when I was with Designa, so I will almost say that my time with Cannondale-Vredestein has developed me more and had more influence. I always wanted to try to race full time on the road but not necessarily for Saxo Bank.  I must say that I’’m really happy to be in the team. Yes, it did meet my expectations! I don’t really have any favorites on the team to race and train with because we have a good relationship all together. But with Andy[Schleck], I always have a lot of fun!!

MS:  When did you realize you wanted to become a professional cyclist? What inspired that decision?  If you hadn’t become a professional cyclist, what would you have wanted to do instead?
JF:  I don’t know when I realized it but probably just before high school because I wasn’t really that enthusiastic in school back then.  It’s always nice if you can live from doing your hobby.
Don’t really know [what else I would have done]–graphic designer or maybe architect. I really like and appreciate good design.

MS:  What races are you competing in for the rest of the season? What are some goals you have for the remained of the season and, looking forward, for feature years?
JF:   I do Tour of Ireland and then the Vuelta which is my main goal for the last month of the season. Then after the Vuelta, we have to see if I’m still alive or maybe dead. Otherwise I’ll probably do the Worlds and the Italian one day races in the end of the season.

MS:  Do you see yourself with a future at Saxo Bank? Or as you continue to get more experience, will a guy like Andy Schleck eventually be a rival?
JF:  So fare Andy and I are good friends and we help each other in the races.  For me, it’s no problem to work for Andy because his one of the best riders at the moment. Then we’ll see what the future brings, but I like staying in Saxo Bank.

MS:  When you’re not cycling, what do you do for fun and to relax?
JF:  I’m spending a lot of time in front of the internet looking at different stuff.  Right now, I’m looking to buy an old Vespa Scooter, and when I’m in Denmark, I go out with friends.

Jakob sure keeps busy! And this hectic schedule doesn’t seem to get in his way of taking big victories left and right! Be sure to keep an eye on him in Ireland and Spain, and we wish him the best for the rest of the season.
You can follow Jakob on his personal website as well: http://www.jakobfuglsang.dk/jf/NEWS/NEWS.html