Søren Wærenskjold
Søren Wærenskjold, born 12 March 2000 in Mandal, Norway, is a Norwegian road racing cyclist who rides for UCI WorldTeam Uno-X Mobility. A powerfully built rider known for his raw strength in time trials and reduced bunch sprints, Wærenskjold delivered Uno-X's biggest one-day result to date by winning Omloop Het Nieuwsblad in 2025. He has also taken overall victory and stage wins at the Deutschland Tour, confirming his status as one of Norway's most exciting all-round talents. Find Søren Wærenskjold's latest results, stats and race calendar on this page.
Biography of pro cyclist Søren Wærenskjold
Søren Wærenskjold is a big-engine Norwegian rider built for power events: time trials, hard finishes and the rough roads of the cobbled Classics. Nicknamed the "Hippo from Mandal", he has become a cornerstone of Uno-X Mobility's rise.
His career has tracked his team's own journey from development squad to the WorldTour, and his Omloop Het Nieuwsblad victory in 2025 marked a milestone for Norwegian cycling on the biggest one-day stages.
Early life and rise
Born in Mandal, on Norway's southern coast, Wærenskjold came up through Norwegian club racing, riding for Ringerike SK before progressing into the professional ranks. He joined Uno-X in 2021 and grew alongside the team, quickly establishing himself as one of its strongest engines.
Even as a young rider his combination of size and power set him apart, hinting at a future in the demanding power-based disciplines of road racing.
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad breakthrough
Wærenskjold's standout result came in March 2025, when he won Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, the traditional curtain-raiser to the cobbled Classics season. Sprinting clear of a reduced group ahead of riders including Paul Magnier and Jasper Philipsen, he claimed a landmark victory for Uno-X Mobility and announced himself as a serious force in the opening weekend of the Classics.
Deutschland Tour and time-trial strength
Wærenskjold has also shown his all-round stage-racing power at the Deutschland Tour, where he won the prologue, a road stage and the overall classification, demonstrating his ability to combine time-trialling speed with strength in reduced finishes. He has backed that up with strong individual time trial results, including a fifth place at the Chrono des Nations.
Rider profile: strengths, style, and characteristics
Wærenskjold is a power rider in the truest sense. His size and strength make him formidable against the clock and in hard, reduced bunch sprints, while his ability to handle rough roads suits the cobbled Classics. He is less a pure sprinter than a strongman who thrives when attrition has thinned the field, making him a flexible and valuable leader for Uno-X.
Personal life
Wærenskjold is from Mandal in southern Norway and carries the affectionate nickname the "Hippo from Mandal", a nod to his powerful build. He came up through the same Norwegian development pathway that underpins much of the Uno-X roster.
Records and milestones
- Winner, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad: 2025
- Overall winner, Deutschland Tour, with prologue and stage wins: 2025
- 5th, Chrono des Nations: 2025
- Long-serving core rider in Uno-X's rise to the WorldTour
What's next for Søren Wærenskjold?
With Uno-X Mobility now racing in the WorldTour, Wærenskjold steps into 2026 as a leader for the cobbled Classics and a card for time trials and hard finishes. His programme includes Paris-Roubaix, and the next ambition is to turn his Omloop breakthrough into further success across the cobbled spring.
