At the end of 2025, Alexander Salby was the first and only rider belonging to a Continental team able to finish the year in the top ten of the season's winners ranking, recording nine professional victories between January and October (eleven counting .2 races as well).

Such performance, at least according to the Danish sprinter's hopes, should have once again opened the doors of first-tier European cycling to him. After failing to find a position following his two-year experience at Bingoal WB, he had been forced to say goodbye at the end of 2024. However, contrary to what one might have expected, no team this winter knocked on his door with any real conviction.

Salby, therefore, strong in what he had shown in 2025 and having found himself perfectly at ease with the project, materials, and structure of an ambitious and solid Chinese team (the Li Ning Star), decided without much hesitation to extend his experience in Asia, continuing to rack up victories and UCI points ahead of several teams that perhaps, given today's cycling dynamics, could have benefited from someone like him.

Indeed, in this first part of 2026, the '98-born rider from Aabenraa has not stopped raising his arms to the sky, as evidenced by his success at the Tour of Sharjah in January, the two victories he strung together at the Tour of Thailand last March, and the triumph achieved last Sunday at the Tour of Hainan. It was after this occasion that we approached him to better understand how his experience in the East is progressing, but also how things went last winter.

Alex, in 2025 you told us you were aiming to return to Europe. Is that still the goal this year?

"To be honest, so far it's not something I've thought much about. Last season, the main objective was exactly that—to secure a good contract to return to Europe—but the fantastic season I had wasn't enough, so I've changed my mindset slightly. Now I just want to try to have the best career possible without thinking too much about where I'm racing. So what matters most today, whether it's in Asia or Europe, is racing to win and feeling that thrill in pursuing victory, which here, in the context I find myself in today, I truly have the opportunity to experience."

But didn't anyone contact you, or did someone reach out and you couldn't reach an agreement?

"Honestly, the offers and interest I received were disappointing. It's not that there was nothing, but compared to the feelings I had and the season I had, I have to say that Europe's interest wasn't much. Now, however, it's not something I think about because I can live as a professional cyclist in this team, a team that is growing and where we all enjoy racing together. At the moment, therefore, I'm happy and very satisfied with where I am. For next year, we'll see what happens."

Your victory at Sanya confirms, once again, your connection with China and its races.

"I'm not sure if it's exactly China that makes the difference... I would certainly say that here at Li Ning we have a perfect setup, a super competitive bike, we follow good nutrition, and, as I've already had the chance to say, I have the full support of my teammates who are ready to sacrifice themselves 100% for me. I'd also add that I've had the opportunity to grow as a leader (and that's something you can't take for granted), and that, as we've demonstrated in multiple ways, we race like a professional team. It's because of this mix of factors that I believe we achieve these results, not so much because of where we're racing. At Hainan, for example, there were also pro teams, and racing against them is not easy at all."

Speaking of teams, is there a certain competition between Chinese teams that you perceive here?

"Certainly, and it's healthy competition. You can see it, for example, when one team does well or gets into a breakaway and the others try to do the same. Speaking of this aspect, compared to Europe, I find there's a bit more respect between riders here, and I really like that."

You conclude a trip to Hainan with a victory, having arrived on the island in advance with your girlfriend. How special was it to be able to share this experience with her?

"I'm super happy to have been able to bring my girlfriend with me to Asia. I was able to show her some things and share moments and places with her. I showed her, for example, the finish line where I won last year... I'm quite sure that these will be memories and experiences that we'll both carry with us forever, regardless of how long or where I race."