Archiv für den Monat: Dezember 2018

Radteam Herrmann goes PRO

Teamnews,

Offizielle Teampräsentation am 15. Januar 2019 – ab 19.00 Uhr!

Wir laden Euch herzlich ein zu unserer Präsentation in den Ausstellungsräumen von „HERRMANN baut Ideen aus“ in Baiersdorf.

Charly Hilpert, bekannt als Fernsehmoderator, wird kurzweilig durch den Abend führen. Freut Euch auf einen spannenden Abend mit einigen Überraschungen! Hintergrundinfos, unsere Pläne und Ziele als professionelles deutsches Kontinentalteam werden wir ab 19:00 Uhr in Baiersdorf präsentieren.

Im Anschluss besteht ab 20.00 Uhr die Gelegenheit zu einem persönlichen Austausch. Für das leibliche Wohl sorgt unser Nachbar Schamel Meerrettich. Bei einer exklusiven Verkostung könnt Ihr die leckeren Meerrettich-Spezialitäten probieren.

Wir freuen uns auf Euch!
Eure Gastgeber Stefan Herrmann und das Herrmann Radteam.

Middle East Peace Tour – Cancellation

Etappenrennen, Jedermann-Rennen,

Cancellation
Middle East Peace Tour
Amman – Petra – Aqaba – Eilat – Mitzpe Ramon – Neve Zohar – Jericho – Jerusalem.

Statement!
Five years ago, we started working on the project Middle East Peace Tour.
A project designed to show sport has the power to change the world (the words of Nelson Mandela).
To build bridges where politics built walls and ditches.
Numerous meetings and discussions with government officials of all parties and the support of the embassies (who always provided us with important advice) and the great cooperation with the communities along the entire route, motivated us even more. The close and intense cooperation has resulted in many friendships with Jordanians, Palestinians and Israelis and the region has become a second home.
It is, therefore, with great regret that we are forced to announce the cancellation of the 2019 Middle East Peace Tour.
The safety of the participants and staff is a top priority. Due to recent developments in the region, this cannot be guaranteed at this time.
With the start date rapidly approaching, we are faced with little alternative.
The belief that sport has the power to change the world lives on within us.

For further Information:
Gerhard Schönbacher
schoenbacher@croc.at
Mobile: +43 676 30 47 584

________________________________________

Erklärung!
Vor fünf Jahren haben wir begonnen, an dem Projekt Middle East Peace Tour zu arbeiten.
Ein Projekt, das zeigen soll das der Sport die Macht hat, um die Welt zu verändern (die Worte von Nelson Mandela).
Brücken bauen, wo die Politik Mauern und Gräben errichtete.
Zahlreiche Treffen und Gespräche mit Regierungsvertretern aller Parteien und die Unterstützung der Botschaften (die uns immer wichtige Ratschläge erteilten) und die großartige Zusammenarbeit mit den Gemeinden entlang der gesamten Route motivierten uns noch mehr. Die enge und intensive Zusammenarbeit hat zu vielen Freundschaften mit Jordaniern, Palästinensern und Israelis geführt, und die Region ist zu einer zweiten Heimat geworden.
Mit großem Bedauern müssen wir daher die Annullierung der Middle East Peace Tour 2019 bekannt geben.
Die Sicherheit der Teilnehmer und Mitarbeiter hat oberste Priorität. Aufgrund der jüngsten Entwicklungen in der Region kann dies derzeit nicht garantiert werden.
Da sich das Startdatum schnell nähert, haben wir keine andere Alternative.
Der Glaube, dass Sport die Macht hat, die Welt zu verändern, lebt in uns weiter.

Für weitere Informationen kontaktieren sie bitte Gerhard Schönbacher
schoenbacher@croc.at
Mobile: +43 676 30 47 584

Riccardo Zoidl returns to the WorldTour with CCC Team

Teamnews,

24 December, 2018, Polkowice (POL)
Former Austrian road race champion Riccardo Zoidl is set to return to the WorldTour
in 2019 with CCC Team as a late addition to the team’s roster, General Manager Jim
Ochowicz announced today.
Zoidl, who previously raced for Trek-Segafredo from 2014 to 2016, joined the team in
Denia, Spain for the pre-season training camp.
“We are excited to welcome Riccardo Zoidl to CCC Team in 2019. When a position
opened up on our roster, Riccardo was our first choice thanks to his recent results and
his previous WorldTour experience. As a former Austrian time trial champion and twotime
road race champion, winner of the 2013 Tour of Austria, and more recently winner
of the 2018 Czech Cycling Tour, Riccardo has a solid list of results to his name, as well as
four Grand Tour participations,” Ochowicz said.
“We are looking forward to seeing Riccardo return to the highest level in cycling and
believe we can help him get back to his best form. Riccardo’s climbing ability will be an
asset for the team, particularly at the one-week WorldTour stage races where he will add
strength to our rosters. It was a good opportunity to have Riccardo join us at team camp
to integrate with his new teammates and get the planning for the 2019 season
underway.”
Zoidl, 30, is grateful for the opportunity to join CCC Team and return to the WorldTour
level after two years at the Continental level.
“This is one of the best Christmas presents I’ve ever had. I was really surprised to get the
call and get this spot with CCC Team at the last moment. This is a chance I have to take
and I’m really motivated and thankful to get the spot on the team. I will try to show that
I deserve to be in the WorldTour again,” Zoidl said.
“In my last years in the WorldTour, I made some mistakes so I think if I move on from
that, I can be successful again, whether that is in a team role or with some personal
success. I’m just looking forward to racing at the WorldTour level again and will do
everything I can for CCC Team.”
In keeping with CCC Team policy, no other details of the contract were released.

Impressionen Team BORA hansgrohe Trainingcamp Dezember 18 auf Mallorca

Teamnews, ,

Die Klassikergruppe mit Peter Sagan und Oscar Gatto als Neuzugang an der Spitze:

Maximilian Schachmann als Neuzugang noch in Quickstep Farben, aber die Schuh- und Radfarbe sind schon für 2019 bereit:

Der Deutsche Strassenmeister der Elite Pascal Ackermann

Peter Sagan vor dem Start einer Trainingsfahrt am 12.12.18:

Christoph Pfingsten und Peter Sagan bekommen die Strecke der Trainingsfahrt von der sportlichen Leitung erklärt:

Team Chef und Manager Ralph Denk, den ich zufällig bei einer Ausfahrt getroffen habe:

Text und Fotos Gerhard Plomitzer
www.plomi.smugmug.com
@plomiphotos

Thomas crowned Sports Personality of the Year

Teamnews, ,

Geraint Thomas revealed his shock at rounding off a fantastic 2018 by being named Sports Personality of the Year.
He finished ahead of Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton and third-placed Harry Kane, who was top scorer for England at the 2018 World Cup and Thomas expressed both his delight and surprise at winning the prestigious award.
He said: “I’m over the moon. I’m genuinely shocked. It’s an unbelievable feeling.
„It was down to the public to vote and to have so many to do that for me is super nice. It feels crazy to be honest. The story of it probably added another dimension.
„It’s an unbelievable era for cycling. I feel so lucky to have benefitted from cycling and the boom we’ve had in recent years is brilliant for the sport“

In his acceptance speech Thomas said: „I feel really to have come into cycling at the age I am. I was just going down the local leisure centre going for a swim, then I end up riding a bike.
„I’d like to thank my wife, she deserves this just as much. I’m really lucky to have her and my family.
„As a bike rider, I was always focused on myself, but hearing stories like Tyson [Fury] and Billy [Monger], then seeing kids on their bikes back home, you take great pride in winning this.
„It’s been an amazing year for British sport and long may it continue.“
@Team SKY

Sosa settling into Team Sky life

Teamnews,

After spending the last week with his new teammates at the team’s training camp in Mallorca, Ivan Ramiro Sosa is excited about his maiden season in the peloton with Team Sky.
Sosa, who completed the team’s roster for the 2019 season when he put pen to paper on a contract earlier this month, continues the team’s strong connection with South American riders, becoming the fifth Colombian rider to sign for Team Sky.

The 21 year old enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2018, claiming an impressive overall victory at the Vuelta a Burgos, in addition to stage race wins at the Adriatica Ionica Race and Sibiu Cycling Tour – and now he’s targeting more success with Team Sky, as he looks to continue his development at WorldTour level next season, joining an ever-growing group of talented young riders on the team’s roster.
Sosa said: “I am really happy to be here.
“I am here to keep improving as a rider and while it will be a learning process for me during my early days with the team, I believe I will fit into this group well and race to my full potential over the coming years.”
A close friend of Egan Bernal, Sosa is pleased to have a familiar face alongside him at Team Sky, commenting: “Having Egan here is a big boost for me – he is a good friend and someone I know very well.
“Having him and a few other South Americans in the team will be really beneficial for me.”

As well as Bernal, Sosa has got to know the rest of his new team-mates well in Mallorca over the last week or so and he’s been welcomed into the team with open arms.
“Everyone has been really welcoming to me,” he said.
“There is a nice mix of youth and experience within this team and they’ve all helped me settle in.
“Training has been really good and the DS’s and coaches have been great with me too.
“We’re all looking forward to the new season and the chance to build on the team’s successes of 2018.”
Team Sky race coach, Xabier Artetxe, believes Sosa’s arrival presents another exciting addition to the team’s roster, adding: „Ivan is a really strong climber. In the long climbs especially, he’s produced some really good performances, but there is so much more to come from him still.
“He will need time to settle in; to learn how we train; to learn how we race – but he has everything here to keep progressing as a rider. He has the potential to be one of the best climbers in the world.”
Artetxe believes Sosa’s relationship with Bernal will be a huge help to him as he gets used to life at Team Sky, commenting: “He is really close to Egan – they know each other really, really well – and that will help him. Egan is a great example for Sosa. He will help him settle into Team Sky and help him continue to make improvements as a young rider with huge potential.”
@Team SKY

KATUSHA ALPECIN choses BMW as official car partner

Teamnews,

Swiss WorldTour team KATUSHA ALPECIN will cooperate for the next three years with BMW. The official handing-over of the keys happened last Friday evening at the 2019 team presentation of KATUSHA ALPECIN in Koblenz, Germany. Leasing company Alphabet is providing the fleet of 14 BMWs, including 12 of the 518d Touring and 2 BMW X3 models.
General Manager José Azevedo: “We are happy in this partnership with BMW. It is nice to work with this prestigious and innovative brand, but there is more to this partnership. This car offers us safety and comfort and that is, of course, important in the often very hectic circumstances of a cycling race. Safety is our absolute number one priority, but comfort is a close second. Most notably our mechanics will appreciate the roomy space. Sometimes we sit more than seven to eight hours in the car. After the races we can take our riders back to the hotel in real comfort, as post-race recovery begins the minute the race is over.”
Eddy Haesendonck, President and CEO of BMW Group Belux, is also enthusiastic about the partnership. “The dynamics of KATUSHA ALPECIN cycling team match perfectly with the dynamic performances of our BMWs. Moreover, the BMW Touring and BMW X3 offer the necessary luxury and comfort that riders and support staff need and deserve.”
With their 4 brands – BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad – BMW Group is the number one producer of premium cars and motorbikes. In 2017, BMW Group sold 2,463,500 autos and 164,000 bikes worldwide.
During the cycling season, KATUSHA ALPECIN and BMW Group Belux will partner on events together, both in and out of races and look forward to the winning combination of solid racing results and a successful partnership in the years to come.
Image (from the left): Tom Van Assche (Corporate Sales Manager BMW Group Belux), Erwin Neuville (Business Manager Corporate Sales BMW Group Belux), José Azevedo (General Manager TKA), Ilnur Zakarin and Marcel Kittel
All used images need to be signed always with the mandatory photo credits: ©TKA/Kathrin Schafbauer
KATUSHA MEDIA SERVICE
Philippe Maertens
maertens@teamkatushaalpecin.com
+32 492 22 78 96

THE OFFICIAL ROUTE OF LA VUELTA 19 IS REVEALED IN ALICANTE

Etappenrennen, Vorschau, , ,

The official route for La Vuelta 19 was today announced at the ADDA auditorium in Alicante. The 74th edition of the Spanish race will take place between August 24th and September 15th 2019, setting out from Salinas de Torrevieja and ending in Madrid. With a distance of 3,272.2 km, the competition includes eight uphill finishes, five of which are new. The presentation was attended by representatives from the international peloton, including last year’s podium: Simon Yates, Enric Mas and Miguel Ángel López; but also national cycling stars such as Alejandro Valverde, the new world champion.
On Wednesday December 19th Unipublic announced the route for La Vuelta 19, which will be held between August 24th and September 15th 2019. The Spanish race will start at Salinas de Torrevieja with a team time trial, the first of three stages to take place on the Costa Blanca. Once on its way, the peloton will depart the province of Alicante and head to Valencia, Teruel, Castellón, Tarragona and Barcelona. The general classification will start to take shape during these initial stages, which include several sprints and new uphill finishes that will begin to set the top riders apart.
La Vuelta 19 will experience an initial turning before the first rest day, during one of its queen stages. The spectacular mountain stage in the Principality of Andorra includes a chain of some of the harshest mountain passes in Andorra and a new ascent to Coll d’Engolasters with a 4 km sterrato track link section. The race then crosses the border to France, returning to the Peninsula via Navarre, the Basque Country, Cantabria and Asturias, where it will visit some familiar peaks and also some new ones for this year, such as Santuario del Acebo or Alto de La Cubilla, to the delight of mountain climbers.

During its final week, the race moves to the Central System, alternating between Castile–La Mancha, Castile and León and the Community of Madrid. With a ‘leg-breaking’ final in the Gredos and Guadarrama mountains, traversing La Vuelta’s mythical mountain passes such as La Morcuera, which brought us a heart-stopping finish during La Vuelta 15 when Fabio Aru took the red jersey from Tom Dumoulin during stage 20.
“It’s going to be a hard but very interesting Vuelta, with surprises, intrigue and emotion guaranteed. Short but intense stages, including innovation and new and unprecedented ascents. The Vuelta brand is what it is, and we will never give it up, to the contrary, we seek to strengthen it”, stated Javier Guillén, La Vuelta’s General Manager.

LA ROJA CELEBRATES ITS 10th ANNIVERSARY
The leader’s red jersey celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. In 2010 Vincenzo Nibali became the first winner of the Spanish grand tour to wear the red jersey, which replaced the gold jersey last worn by Alejandro Valverde. “Red is associated with success, passion, and Spain and is now firmly associated with the unparalleled spectacle that is our race”, explained Javier Guillén. The list of riders to have worn the red jersey atop the final podium of La Vuelta includes names such as Fabio Aru, Vicenzo Nibali, Nairo Quintana, Alberto Contador, Chris Froome or Simon Yates, the last to join this select club.
PRESS CONTACT
Laura Cueto

FORCE neuer Helm u. Brillenpartner für 2019 – Team Vorarlberg Santic wünscht frohe Weihnachten

Teamnews,

Fotos Team Vorarlberg Santic

FORCE neuer Helm- und Brillenausrüster! Team Vorarlberg Santic wünscht frohe Festtage und alles Beste für 2019!

Mit einer ordentlichen Portion Qualität und Style geht es in Richtung 2019. Team Vorarlberg Santic darf auf Jahresende einen neuen Ausstatter mit der tschechischen Marke FORCE präsentieren. Das Familienunternehmen KCK Cyklosport mit Sitz in Otrokovice, vertreten durch COO Ing. Andrea Kmentova´, freut sich auf die bevorstehende Kooperation mit dem österreichischen Profiteam.
Die Helme und Brillen überzeugten die Profis voll und ganz beim ersten Test am Mannschaftstreffen durch ihre hervorragende Passform, sowie der hohen Qualität. Wir heißen FORCE herzlich willkommen im Team Vorarlberg Santic!
Informationen zur FORCE https://www.force.cz/ auf facebook

Ein herzliches und sportliches Dankeschön an alle Partner, Sponsoren, Presse- und Medienvertreter für die Zusammenarbeit im vergangenen Jahr!

Wir wünschen ein frohes und gesegnetes Weihnachtsfest und einen guten Übergang in das neue Radsportjahr 2019!

FORCE new helmet and eyewear partner! Team Vorarlberg Santic wishes you merry christmas and all the best for 2019!

With a good dose of quality and style, we are heading towards 2019. At the end of the year, Team Vorarlberg Santic will be presenting a new outfitter with the Czech brand FORCE. The family business KCK Cyklosport based in Otrokovice, represented by COO Ing. Andrea Kmentova‘, and looking optimistic forward to the upcoming cooperation with the Austrian professional team.
The helmets and sunglasses convinced the pro riders fully at the first test at the team meeting due to their excellent fit, as well as the high quality. We warmly welcome FORCE to Team Vorarlberg Santic!
Information on FORCEhttps://www.force.cz/ on facebook

Many and sporting thanks to all partners, sponsors, press and media representatives for the cooperation in this year!
We wish you a happy and blessed Christmas and a good transition to the new cycling year 2019!

EF Education First Appoints Mary Wittenberg President of EF Pro Cycling

Teamnews,


EF Education First (EF), the world leader in international education, today announced that experienced sport and fitness executive Mary Wittenberg has joined EF as president of EF Pro Cycling. Wittenberg will help position the team for future success and promote EF’s mission of opening the world through education by encouraging people to step outside of their comfort zones and explore the world.
Wittenberg recently served as the founding CEO of Virgin Sport and prior to that was the long time CEO of New York Road Runners and race director for the TCS New York City Marathon. Her experience in the running and endurance space spans 20 years, and her ability to think creatively in promoting athletes and partners dovetails with EF’s adventurous company spirit and bold goals for EF Pro Cycling in 2019 and beyond.

“EF’s commitment is to bring different cultures together, to spark mutual understanding around the ways people and communities approach and see life. The goal is to promote empathy among people of diverse backgrounds, and inspire new ways of thinking which together can help make the world a little better,” said EF CEO North America Edward Hult. “EF Pro Cycling is a platform that embodies this spirit, and which helps show how positive things happen when people explore the world. Having Mary join the team is an exciting step in continuing to spread this message.”
Wittenberg will focus on creating fun new ways for the team and EF’s global workforce of 46,500 to interact, identifying new, compelling partnership opportunities, and exploring resources to further benefit the team. She will also liaise between EF senior leadership and EF Pro Cycling staff.
“I am excited to join EF and our pro cycling team at this formative stage and to be part of a purpose-driven company that brings people together through exploring the world,” Wittenberg said. “I am inspired by the sport of cycling and this team, in particular; as riders from different countries and cultures come together to bring their dreams to life. EF and Jonathan Vaughters have set a great foundation that marry the transformative power of travel, education and sport. We have a chance to bring a fresh approach to cycling and recruit similarly inspired partners to join us.”

In Wittenberg, team CEO, founder, and former pro cyclist Jonathan Vaughters has a partner who can help the team reach new audiences.
“Mary brings a fresh perspective to the sport. Mary’s vision, passion, and expertise make her uniquely qualified to lead our efforts as we seek to expand our reach,” Vaughters said. “We’re working toward creating a more sustainable financial model for the team, and we’ll be leaning heavily on her business and brand background, and also her experience in growing one of the world’s great sporting events.”
The addition of Wittenberg comes as the team looks toward next season with a new perspective. EF Pro Cycling recently announced its partnership with apparel brand Rapha to collaborate on all-access content and bold new team kit, and the team will also put some of its riders in alternative-style events, from gravel races in the US to multi-day endurance races in far-flung locales. The aim? Reach more people, and tell more compelling stories.
As the first female CEO of New York Road Runners and Race Director for the New York City Marathon, Wittenberg and her team drove unprecedented growth with initiatives that touched the five boroughs of New York, the nation, and the world. Wittenberg also co-founded the Abbott World Marathon Majors, a strategic alliance of the world’s major marathons of Boston, Chicago, New York, London, Berlin and Tokyo, created in 2006 to grow the sport of marathon running globally.

Wittenberg’s start with the team is effective immediately.
About EF Education First: EF Education First is an international education company that focuses on language, travel, academics and cultural exchange. Founded in 1965, EF has more than 580 offices and schools in over 50 countries. Moved by the powerful way cycling unites people of diverse backgrounds in a peaceful, fun, and friendly way to achieve extraordinary athletic feats, EF entered professional cycling in 2018 to help spread its mission of opening the world through education.