"A sad moment for Danish mountain biking": the federation dissolves the national team to save costs

The dismissal of coaches Mads Bodker and Benjamin Justesen leaves a generation that had placed Denmark in the world elite of XCO without structure, with names like Simon Andreassen, Sebastian Fini, Caroline Bohé, Sofie Pedersen, or Malene Degn.

Denmark closes its national MTB team and dismisses its two coaches to save €130,000

The Danish Cycling Federation (DCU) has announced the complete dissolution of its national mountain bike team, a decision motivated by the serious economic problems facing the institution. The move involves the dismissal of the two national coaches, Mads Bødker and Benjamin Justesen, and the end of funding for training camps, team activities, and international competitions.

According to DCU director Niels Bo Daugaard, the measure will allow for an approximate saving of 1 million Danish crowns (about €130,000). However, he acknowledges that this is an emergency solution:

"Our income has dropped drastically and costs have increased. We have not been able to generate resources in line with the sporting level achieved," he stated.

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Thus, Danish cyclists competing in European, World, or Olympic events will have to cover the expenses on their own, although they will still be able to wear the national team kit. In practice, figures like Albert Withen Philipsen, Simon Andreassen, or Sebastian Fini will have to finance themselves privately if they want to maintain their international calendar.

A decision that shocks the Danish MTB community

The news has caused deep unrest in the Danish cycling environment. Among the most critical voices is Malene Degn, recently retired from the XCO World Cup, who expressed her outrage on social media. Degn lamented that, after 15 years of work that placed Denmark among the powers of the world mountain bike, the federation has "destroyed everything built" with the closure of the national program.

In her post, the former rider emphasized that "the problem is not solved by cutting a team that has produced world champions" and warned of the consequences this decision will have on the development of new generations. "Talent does not appear out of nowhere," she reminded, "it requires investment, time, and people who believe in the project."

Daugaard acknowledged that the economic situation of the organization is worse than initially thought and that the cut does not end the crisis, but postpones it. "By 2027, we will need that million we have reduced today. If we do not get new sponsors, it will be impossible to maintain competitive structures in the future," he warned.

The decision to concentrate the cuts on mountain bike was made, he explained, to prevent the reduction from also affecting road, track, or BMX. However, the federation does not rule out sending reduced teams to upcoming international championships, as was the case at the last XCO World Championships in Rwanda, where Denmark only fielded its elites.

The closure of the national team is a severe blow to a country that in recent years has been a reference in talent development, with world and European titles in lower categories and a significant growth of mountain biking at the amateur level.

While the DCU seeks financial solutions, Malene Degn's message sums up the general feeling: "It is a sad moment for Danish mountain biking... and, to be honest, for all of Danish cycling."