Uno-X Mobility strengthens partnership with Airtox – Carl Ras Junior Women to elevate the Nordic talent pathway
Airtox – Carl Ras Junior Women 2026. Image credits: @hestkjaer
Emma Johansson expands her mentor role as Uno-X Mobility strengthens its partnership with Airtox – Carl Ras Junior Women to create a clearer and more connected development pathway.
Thor Hushovd, General Manager of Uno-X Mobility Cycling and Emma Johansson.
Uno-X Mobility Cycling is reinforcing its long-standing collaboration with the newly named Airtox – Carl Ras Junior Women as part of a strengthened commitment to developing young female riders in Norway, Denmark and beyond.
Announced on International Women’s Day, the initiative reflects the team’s continued focus on building a strong pathway for women in cycling. The partnership forms a key pillar in the team's long-term ambition to build one of the most purposeful and human-centred development environments in women’s cycling.
Central to the initiative is Emma Johansson, former world number one, Olympic medallist and current board member, who now steps into an official mentor role with a dedicated focus on junior development. Her work will link the junior team, the national federations and Uno-X Mobility Women’s side into a clearer and more aligned pathway for upcoming riders.
“Many junior riders are incredibly talented, but they often haven’t yet learned the everyday habits that make long-term progress possible,” says Johansson. “School, training, friends, racing – it’s a lot to balance at that age. What I see is that many of them feel they must succeed immediately, and that pressure can hold them back. Our goal is to give them clarity and confidence – to show them what the next step looks like, and to make sure they never have to take that step alone.”
A strengthened pathway from junior to elite
Asked about the biggest difference the strengthened partnership will make, Team Owner Morten Ravnkilde points to the closer connection with the WorldTour environment.
“The biggest difference is how closely we are now connected to the WorldTour environment,” says Morten Ravnkilde, owner of Airtox – Carl Ras Junior Women.
“Our riders gain access to expertise in nutrition, coaching and equipment — and having people like Emma involved on a daily basis is a huge step forward. It raises the standard of what we can offer compared to other junior teams.”
From Uno-X Mobility’s perspective, the strengthened collaboration reflects a clear responsibility towards the next generation of female riders.
Airtox – Carl Ras Junior Women 2026. Image credits: @hestkjaer
“For us, this partnership is about taking responsibility for the development work we believe in,” says Anna Badegruber, Head of Sport | Women, Uno-X Mobility Cycling. “By working closely with Airtox – Carl Ras Junior Women, we can support young female riders in a way that is structured, realistic and aligned with how we operate at WorldTour level.”
The partnership builds on an already proven connection between the teams. Kamilla Aasebø, Alberte Greve, Mia Gjertsen and Anniina Ahtosalo, all part of the current Uno-X Mobility Women’s WorldTour roster, came through Airtox – Carl Ras Junior Women (formerly Team Rytger). Their journeys show the value of a clear and supportive development pathway.
For the riders currently on the junior team, that connection shapes both motivation and mindset.
“For the riders, this connection changes how they approach their everyday work,” Ravnkilde adds. “They are as close to the WorldTour as you can get at this stage. They see what it demands — not just in races, but in preparation, routines and mindset. That understanding stays with them, especially when the work gets hard.”
Airtox – Carl Ras Junior Women will remain fully independent in sporting direction and team identity, but will feature a visible “Supported by Uno-X Mobility” profile on vehicles and digital platforms.
Building a Stronger Culture for Young Riders
For Emma Johansson, the strengthened partnership is an opportunity to shape the culture that young riders grow into.
“One of the biggest challenges I see in junior cycling is that riders often struggle with the basics,” says Johansson. “They get sick because their routines aren’t stable enough, and suddenly one missed day turns into a whole lost week. Many only reach good form late in the season, when they actually needed it months earlier. These are things we can fix with the right structure and guidance.”
Johansson believes that creating alignment between the junior team, the national federations and Uno-X Mobility is essential for sustainable progress.
“Riders should benefit from every environment they are part of — not feel caught between them,” she says. “When coaches, teams and staff work in the same direction, young athletes gain clarity. They feel supported, but they’re also held to standards that help them grow.”
She emphasises that mentoring is not about talent identification alone, but about preparing riders for the realities of the elite level.
“I’m not afraid to be honest with them,” Johansson adds. “Talent matters, but it’s the daily habits, the culture and the mindset that decide whether you make it. If we can help them understand that early, we give them a real chance to succeed.”
Throughout the season, Johansson will attend selected junior races, training camps and federation activities, ensuring personal guidance and continuity for riders as they take the first steps towards elite cycling.
An international junior team supporting Nordic ambition
The 2026 roster of Airtox – Carl Ras Junior Women shows that the team’s selection is driven first by potential, not by nationality. With riders from Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Finland, Germany and the United Kingdom next season, the group is intentionally international.
This approach is a deliberate choice, designed to raise daily standards and create a stronger development environment for all riders.
“Having an international group brings different cycling cultures and perspectives into the team,” says Morten Ravnkilde. “It creates a higher level of competition in training and helps our Nordic riders learn what it takes to succeed in a more demanding environment. That challenge is an important part of their development.”
By maintaining a strong sporting level in the junior team, the pathway becomes more credible and inspiring for the best young riders in Norway and Denmark — showing that they can grow within a culture that values talent, commitment and long-term development.
Several riders on the current Uno-X Mobility Cycling women’s side previously raced for Airtox – Carl Ras, including Kamilla Aasebø and Anniina Ahtosalo.
Image credit: Getty Sport