Danish cyclist Morten Aalling Nortoft will make his WorldTour debut in 2027 after signing a contract with Alpecin – Premier Tech through 2028, securing his future after coming close to leaving the sport entirely following his departure from Visma’s development squad.
Nortoft's Integration into Alpecin Team
- Nortoft’s arrival at Alpecin – Premier Tech comes ahead of the 2027 campaign.
- Fantasy managers should monitor his integration into the team, where he profiles as an option for races like the Amstel Gold Race.
- His transition from Continental outfit Team ColoQuick to the WorldTour level sets up a crucial period for his career.
From Visma Departure to Continental Resurgence
Nortoft’s path to the WorldTour appeared straightforward after he secured an overall victory and a stage win at the 2022 Orlen Nations Grand Prix. Those results earned him a spot with Jumbo-Visma’s development team for the 2023 season, where he added a stage victory at the Course de la Paix Grand Prix Jeseniky in his second year.
However, the opportunity to graduate into the senior WorldTour ranks never materialised. Having reached the end of his under-23 eligibility, Nortoft could not continue with the development squad, and no contract was forthcoming from Visma’s senior team.
There was a very good chance that, if it didn’t happen this year, I’d have ended up hammering nails with my father-in-law.
It was either that or cycling, Nortoft revealed in an interview with TV 2 Sport.
It felt as though cycling had taken a turn, and suddenly it had become impossible to turn professional. But I wasn’t going to let that be the reason I threw in the towel,
he recalled.
Rebuilding Momentum at Team ColoQuick
Rather than walking away, Nortoft returned to Denmark and joined Continental outfit Team ColoQuick for the 2025 season. His campaign yielded consistent placings, including fifth overall at the Circuit des Ardennes, second at Fyn Rundt, and third at Giro Himledalen, alongside 13th overall at the Tour of Denmark.
The following spring brought further results, with fourth-overall finishes at both Olympia’s Tour and the Circuit des Ardennes. Although his podium finishes slowed during the second half of 2026, his body of work across multiple seasons demonstrated an ability to compete near the front of international stage races.
I felt I was too good to quit,
he told TV 2.
| Season | Team | Key Results |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | National Team / U23 | Overall win & stage win, Orlen Nations GP |
| 2023–2024 | Jumbo-Visma Development Team | Stage win, Course de la Paix GP Jeseniky |
| 2027–2028 | Alpecin – Premier Tech | WorldTour Debut Contract |
Targeting the Ardennes Classics
The persistence paid off when Alpecin – Premier Tech offered him a contract keeping him at the Belgian squad through 2028. It’s surreal to think that you’ve achieved your childhood dream. Suddenly, that dream is coming true,
he said.
At Alpecin, Nortoft will join established leaders Mathieu van der Poel and Jasper Philipsen. Yet his specific physical profile points toward terrain that suits neither pure sprinters nor dedicated climbers.
I’m probably a real Ardennes rider. I can climb reasonably well, but I’m not good in the mountains. I can ride well on the flat, but I’m not the best there either,
he explained.
He has already highlighted the Amstel Gold Race as a primary target, citing its blend of climbing demands, endurance, and finishing speed. Never the completely flat days and never the really hard days. Anything in between usually suits me quite well. I’m a decent time triallist and I’ve got a reasonable finish. Amstel Gold Race would suit me pretty well.
His immediate challenge will involve adjusting to the higher pace of the WorldTour calendar while establishing his utility within a team structured around its marquee leaders.
