TFS: Trek-Segafredo has given you the green light to pursue some off-road challenges this year. You’re set to start in Dirty Kanza and Leadville 100. What are your expectations for those races?

I’m definitely going there to race and not just participate. I think winning Leadville and winning Kanza would be two good goals, but it won’t be a focus in my first season as a pro. As a 19-year-old, it’s nice to be able to go home, race those races and have a little break after to be able to come back stronger on the road for the second half of the season.

TFS: You’ll be teammates with Mads Pedersen, the current elite road world champion. Besides the rainbow stripes, do you share other affinities with him as a bike rider?

I think skills-wise, we have somewhat similar strengths. He was just as dominant in the Juniors as I was. Every race I won, he pretty much had also won, so it’s nice that he knows where I’m coming from and he’s definitely a really good person to learn from. He’s still young at just 24-years-old and is already wearing the World Champion jersey. He’s definitely someone who it’s easy to get behind, and I really hope I can help him win something big.

TFS: Best day ever you had on a bike so far?

Can I pick three? The first day that really stands out was when I won Gent-Wevelgem at the beginning of the year. That was my first big win in Europe, and the first time an American won a Junior classic ever. So to be able to be the first one to do that was really cool. I’d say the result I’m most proud of would have been placing second at Leadville after chasing back all day, and then the big highlight was winning the Worlds.

TFS: And worst day on the bike?

The worst day is a toss-up between Roubaix and the road Nationals. I just didn’t have it, and they were two of my big targets for the year. Mentally and physically, I wasn’t where I needed to be, and I know that I should have been up there. I wasn’t, so that kind of eats at me still.

TFS: Madone, Emonda, or Domane: What model will you be riding most often in your first season as a pro, and what are your favorite features about the bike?

For sure, I’ll spend most of my time on the Madone this season. It’s a great bike, it’s just so fast, especially on a flat road and suits my riding style well. It’s super stiff, super-fast, and when you get rolling, it’s great fun. On top of that, the team has given me a custom painted model, which definitely doesn’t hurt one bit.