Date	Class	Race	Nation
January
10	C2	Clasico San Cristobal
22-31	C2	Vuelta al Tachira
31	C2HC	Great Ocean Road Classic
February
1-7	C2HC	Tour de Langkawi
7	C2	GP Herning
8	C1	Gent - Wevelgem
10	C2	Viana do Castelo
22	C2	Gisborne GP
26-2	C1	Tour of Southland
March
3	C1	Roma Maxima
10	C1	Le Samyn
15	C1	Apex Mountain Classic
18	C2HC	Geraardsbergen-Bosberg
22-27	C2HC	Tour of Eritrea
April
4-9	C2HC	Tour de Vineyards
8	C2	Coppa Placci
18	C2HC	Betonexpressz GP
26	C2HC	Lincoln GP
27	C1	GP Wallonie
28-30	C1	Corsica International
May
1-5	HC	Cheshire Cycling Tour
4-5	C2HC	Windhoek ITT
7	C2	1 Jour de Dunkerque
12-14	C2HC	Tour du Faso
19-23	C1	Tour d'Andorra
June
3	C1	Malopolski Wyscig
4	C2	Lillestrom GP
13-19	C2HC	Tour of Vancouver
18-23	C1	Tour of South Africa
24	U23	Paris - Tours Espoirs
July
1-8	C2	Tour de San Luis
16-20	C2	Tour of Bulgaria
17	C2	Sakartvelo Trophy
23	C2HC	Vilnius GP
31	U23	Liege - Bastogne - Liege U23
August
1-6	C2HC	Benelux Challenge
9	C2	Rio Vista Chinesa
20-21	C2HC	Grand Prix Cyclistes
23-31	U23	Tour de l'Avenir
September
1	C2HC	Philadelphia International Championship
10-13	C2HC	Euskal Bizikleta
24	C2HC	Transfagarasan GP
29	C2HC	GP Yekaterinburg
30	U23	Ronde van Vlaanderen Beloften
October
1	C2	Heiste Pjil
6-10	C2HC	Herald Sun Tour
6-9	C2HC	Course de Solidarnosc
18	C2HC	Zuri Metzgete

* * *

GP Herning
7 February
Win

Geraardsbergen-Bosberg
18 March
Top 5

Lincoln GP
26 April
Top 10

Tour du Faso
12 May - 14 May
Top 10

Overall Classification
End of the Season
Top 15

Hoelgaard was listed as one of the favourites in Cuba, but found himself poorly positioned as the leading group split from the peloton in the final kilometres meaning he had a lot of work to do if he wanted to live up to pre-race expectations. It seemed like he had the power necessary to claw his way back, as he made his move underneath the flamme rouge.



Unfortunately it would prove too little, too late, as the gap had already grown to too great an extent for Hoelgaard to draw back the leaders. Fortunately, some of the group cracked, making easy prey for the charging Norwegian, who could've have been capable of more he hadn't lost out on the initial movement. Nonetheless, he managed to salvage a strong sixth placing, falling just below the pundit's estimates.

Management Grade: B

The main focus in Venezuela was going to be the duel between Pinot and Intxausti, while Kiserlovski waited to capitalise on any of their mistakes. Assisted primarily by Burmann, Cort Nielsen was aiming for a Top 5 GC result, although media outlets placed him as an outside contender for the Top 10 instead. After nearly a week of bunched sprints, the GC finally kicked off in Stage 6, and Cort Nielsen made his first televised appearance in Tryg colours, closing a gap with 7km to the finish, where he would manage a decent +2'10.



This was followed by a mountain time-trial, where a poor performance saw Cort Nielsen dropping to 9th in the GC. This was somewhat mitigated as Cort Nielsen successfully followed Kiserlovski up the Alto Palo Grande for a +23 finish on the stage, catapulting him to just outside the Top 5. Although the result itself may not have been anything fancy, the Dane's ability to stick to the wheel of the surging BNZ man, and then push past him before crossing the line, was a promising show of skill early in the season.



Cort Nielsen's form continued to flipflop the next day as the climb up to Cerro El Cristo produced the best GC fight of the tour. An attack by Pinot with just 3km to go saw him gain a gap to Intxausti, causing both to begin pushing in the closing moments of the stage. Although Intxausti would catch Pinot after the flamme rouge, Cort Nielsen was unable to stay with the powering Spaniard and dropped to a disappointing +2'17 on the stage, pushing him down to 7th in the GC at +5'55. Thankfully, there was still one stage to come, and the shorter climbs were set to favour Cort Nielsen over his rivals. Unfortunately the previous days' riding had taken too much energy from the peloton for any significant attacks, and the stage would finish in a bunched sprint. Cort Nielsen had positioned himself well, just behind the line of sprinters as they powered themselves up the final incline. Then, with 100m to go everybody around the Dane began to tire, but he kept surging forwards into the lead of the race. With nobody else fast enough to catch him, Cort Nielsen had won Stage 10 of Vuelta al Tachira, securing Tryg's first ever victory.

Management Grade: A-

Nothing big was expected from the squads venture down under, far from the markets the sponsors were targeting. Yamamoto was never considered a serious candidate in a bunched sprint, and lacked the prerequisites to get into a more selective finish. The presence of Maes did present the possibility of a breakaway victory, but with the media predicting a bunched finish, expectations were low heading in. Then, halfway through the race, with the peloton disorganised from a short but tough climb, Maes launches an attack, followed only by the Netia-Vonin duo of Reckweg and Veyhe.



They quickly joined up with the breakaway and managed to hold a small gap over the peloton for the next few kilometres before Reckweg decided it was time to press forwards on his own, with Maes doing his best to follow the move. The peloton was doing its best to chase them down, and the gap had shrunk to an extremely small margin as Maes passed beneath the flamme rouge, but with their energy almost entirely consumed by the chase, the leaders of the pack found themselves unable to make the final effort to sprint past the leading duo. Reckweg was first across the line, followed shortly by Maes, much to the delite of the management team.

Management Grade: A+

A race in the heat of Malaysia opens up the second month of Tryg's year as we continue to tour the Southern Hemisphere. The best climbers of the CT where out in force, and Cort Nielsen was relegated beyond the realms of outsider, merely a name on the betting slip rather than a serious option. Yamamoto was in a similar position. To add to the team's woes, an issue with the kit had arisen, and they were forced to ride in an alternative option. Yamamoto did his best to make up for it with a good 9th place finish in the first full stage following the prologue, unfortunately the sponsors weren't impressed by the white and red display.


Yamamoto in the sprint, lower left

The next day was an opportunity for Cort Nielsen, the steep final climb of the stage suiting his skillset, and he grasped at the opening he had been given. Following an attack as he closed in on the summit initially seemed to have promise, but the group was eventually caught and the Dane fell back outside the Top 10.


Leading the Tour

Yamamoto failed to make a big impression in the following flat stage, missing out on the main sprint group, so the pressure was back on Cort Nielsen as the queen stage in Genting Highlands loomed. The climb was a tough one as Pinot did his best to claw back an early attack by Kwiatkowski, Cort Nielsen being one of two riders able to keep up with the Frenchman. It was a impressive performance from Cort Nielsen, who stuck up near the front but waited it out and let Pinot pull him to a positive result for his GC position. The race was to be rounded out by two flat stages: one had Yamamoto essentially non-existent, while in the latter he picked the right wheel and rode it to a Top 5 finish, enough to pull him into the Top 20 for points.


Yamamoto pushing hard at the finish

Management Grade: B+



The first and only home race of the season, and one where the assembled squad arrived with a lot of pressure on them, not only from the sponsors, but also from the media, who had chosen Maes as one of their two favourites. After his surprise podium in Australia, it was hoped that he could build on that success in a more favourable course.

The pace would be a punishing one, as a strong break would force the pack's hand. There was no reprieve even over the cobbles as Kasperkiewicz, the other favourite, pressed for an advantage. Maes was more the strong enough to keep with him, making up part of a relatively select group at about half distance.


Maes riding in the leading group

As the finish began to approach the tension in the leading pack began to ramp up. Maes went with an attack by Van Keirsbulck, which was enough to dislodge Kasperkiewicz, but which was chased down relatively quickly. A counterattack by Ostergaard saw nobody willing to chase him. Having worked hard earlier in the race, Maes was unable to meet the effort needed to catch Ostergaard. Instead, he would stick with the remainder of the chasing pack, where a weak sprint would see him finishing 8th.


Maes pushing hard in the wet conditions

Management Grade: C-



The adventures on cobbles continued, now in Maes's Belgian homeland. Although not listed as a favourite, the long, relatively flat, parcour should allow the Tryg fronman to challenge for the Top 10 against the likes of Summerhill and Vanspeybrouck. Unfortunately, it would prove to be a quiet race for Maes. The steep inclines of the cobbled sectors, coupled with a relatively slow pace on the flat asphalt, prevented him from making a move. Instead, he hung on to the leading group. At the finish, his poor kick would prevent him from a high placing, although 13th wasn't horrendous considering the calibre of his opponents.


The sprint for fifth, with Maes present at the back end

Management Grade: B-



The third race in a row for Nikolas Maes, who has quite a packed schedule in February. The biggest question on everyone's mind in Portugal will be if it is the climbs or the descents which will be the deciding factor. Either way, Maes is likely to suffer, with only short stretches of flat asphalt for him to work with. The situation is made worse by the torrid rain, which turns the race into a real slog.


The rain pouring down on the peloton, with some Tryg jerseys on display

A strong attack early into the race forces Tryg to the front, working alongside Netia and Lierse. This was not what the team wanted, as pushing hard over the hills was sure to wear Maes out. Nonetheless, there was little choice for the team, and Chokri and Pedersen took turns pulling the break back.


The Tryg domestiques working hard at the front of the peloton

The latter half of the race would quickly turn into a melee, as the breakaway was torn to shreds by the high pace of the peloton. Strings of attacks and counterattacks would see Van Keirsbulck and Kasperkiewicz out in front, with PCT threats Van der Haar and Kuroeda chasing. Maes wouldn't be able to follow the attacks up the hill, but his speed on both the flat and downslope gave him a chance at the Top 5.


Maes struggling after a difficult chase

Unfortunately, it was not to be, and the final climb would prove too much for the aging Belgian, who would slump to a very disappointing 24th. Aside from the disappointing end result for Maes, there was still the matter of some strong performances from the young domestiques. As well as that, for the viewer there was extremely exciting racing for nearly 100km, certainly one of the best races of the season so far.

Management Grade: F



Having just fallen short of the Top 5 in Cuba, Hoelgaard had gone down under to once more ride against the best the CT has to offer. This time the media, and management, had slightly less lofty goals, with the Top 10 considered the expectation.


Hoelgaard storming towards the finish

A select peloton of just 31 reached the bottom of the final climb together. Hoelgaard was part of the group, but poor positioning and a lack of any domestiques meant that he was towards the back when the pace picked up. Fortunately, he had carefully conserved his energy and a well timed surge saw him charging past the tiring field. Within the final few hundred metres he climbs alongside Edmondson, then in front of him, into 5th, and across the line. Once more let down by poor early positioning, Hoelgaard continues to make up for it with a strong finish. Fix the former, and he might be looking at a podium, lose the latter, and squeezing into the Top 10 might become more likely.


Hoelgaard beating Edmondson to the finish for the second time this season

Management Grade: A



Staying in New Zealand, but this time right along the Southern Coast, and in a higher classification, Tryg enters this race without any real considerations. Not even mentioned in the media predictions, and not in really favourable conditions for Hoelgaard, the Top 25 is the expectation, with anything better being the cherry on top. The pace is too high for Yamamoto in the opener, and it is instead Hannes Bergstrom Frisk who captures attention, taking the only 4th category climb of the day and securing the polkadot jersey overnight.


Bergstrom Frisk in the breakaway prior to the Category 4

The next day was one of two major opportunities for the GC, with a steep three kilometre climb up Bluff Hill. Both Honore and Zimmerman took part in a large breakaway group, but it was drawn back in long before the finish. For his part, Hoelgaard continued his pattern of behaviour. Seemingly out of contention with a kilometre to go, the Norwegian flew up the final climb to a strong 7th placing for the stage, just 16 seconds back from Di Maggio and Claeys.


Hoelgaard fighting at the finish

Cycling from Invercargill to Gore was another flat stage. Honore joined the breakaway for the second time in two days, this time taking a handful of KoM points up a category 4. The breakaway can't make it all the way to the end, and Yamamoto once more struggles to make it to the front of the pack. Instead it is Hoelgaard, who in the interest of protecting his GC position, finishes 14th.


Honore checking to see if he had beaten Othman to the summit

Stage 4 was similar to the second, with long relatively flat kilometres ending with a sharp climb up to Coronet Peak. Not the most favourable of conditions for Hoelgaard, who wouldn't mind a couple longer ascents, but still one he is more than capable of tackling. Despite a good start to the climb, Hoelgaard faded out towards the end, leading to a large gap between him and the leading group. 13th at +'41 is still a strong performance though, second only to Edmondson out of the CT riders.

Nothing to show from the last stage; no Tryg riders make the breakaway, and Yamamoto is once more far from the front. A decent 13th placing in the GC for Hoelgaard at + 1'09. Zimmerman also making it into 4th in the U25 category, at +3'05 (+5'06 GC). Altogether, slightly better than expected for the resident puncheur, although Yamamoto's failure was mildly disappointing.


Hoelgaard reaching Coronet Peak

Management Grade: B

Maes front and centre once more for another difficult C1 race. A clash meant that the Belgian was considered an outsider going in, although the climb partway through might undermine his efforts. Fortunately the start is relatively slow, the breakaway is held under control by some good domestique work from the younger riders, and Maes makes it over the first mountain in fine form.


Tryg riders taking part near the front of the peloton

Once the peloton hits the cobbles things begin to heat up a little bit. Possibly hoping that his underdog status might grant him some leeway, Maes hitches on to the back of an early attack, although it is quickly reeled back in. The group goes again, with Maes once more sliding on to the final wheel, but his competitors seem to realise the danger, and chase him down. These attempts would sap energy from the Belgian.


Maes following an attack

The peloton would retain some cohesion until they were just over twelve kilometres, at which point it would fracture into a constellation of small groups. After initially forming a leading sextet, Maes would eventually become part of a chasing group of thirteen, riding after Bush. Having taken long turns pulling the group, Maes would lack the energy to fight for a strong position at the very end, crossing the line in 10th. Not too bad a result when it was all said and done, although better could have been achieved with a stronger support system.


Maes taking the lead in an attacking group

Management Grade: C+



A much stronger field in Belgium then there was a week prior in Italy, with most the ProContinental riders turning up this time. Maes was relegated to an outsider, barely mentioned in previews of the race. Wet weather provides the background to a relatively standard race procedure. The main breakaway departs early in the day, with some semi-contenders launching an attack about halfway through. The pace in the peloton picks up and riders are shed off. Maes manages to hold on until the break is caught with about 17 kilometres to go.


A Tryg domestique suffers from the high pace

Summerhill is the first to open up, drawing a group of five with him. Maes stays back trusting in the ability of the peloton to bring them back. His decision proves correct, although Summerhill is immediately on the assault once more, this time alone. He holds a small lead for a while, but is caught by the remainder of the lead group at seven kilometres, now down to just 19 riders.


Maes part of the group chasing Vanbilsen

Summerhill having overextended himself, it is now Vanbilsen who moves on to the offensive. Nobody is willing to expend the energy needed to catch him, and he builds up a lead of several seconds. Frustrated by the inaction, Stalleart makes his move in the final kilometres, sensing a victory. Vanbilsen went too early, and is unable to hold Stalleart off in the final few hundred metres. Maes takes part in the select sprint for third; his kick, especially on the uphill, is weak and can only secure him 10th. A decent finish considering the strength of the field.


Maes crossing the line

Management Grade: B+



With his usual leader busy preparing for Eritrea, Chilean champion Wolfgang Burmann was given the opportunity to fight for his own glory on the opposite end of his home continent, although puncheur Hoelgaard might come to steal his spotlight. As might be expected, he was ignored by the majority of pundits. Interestingly, German loanee Jannik Steimle joined the breakaway of the day, perhaps hoping that they might pull all the way through to the end.


Steimle soaking up the screentime in the breakaway

Unfortunately it wasn't to be for the aspiring climber. His hopes would come to an end at the foot of the stage's primary challenge, the climb to Apex Mountain Resort. An early attack from the favourites would put much of the field on the backfoot, forced to chase them for even an inkling of an opportunity at victory. The chasing group never managed to bring them back, and poor positioning at the finish meant Hoelgaard only managed 17th in a select sprint. Burmann was 28th, perhaps having spent most of his effort helping Hoelgaard up the difficult inclines.


The breakaway being caught

Management Rating: C



The cobbles season continues in Belgium, this time under the careful watch of the sponsors. Unfortunately, the terrain isn't well made for Maes, who lacks the puncheur skillset necessary for the short inclines of the parcour. There would be no chance for respite here, as the attacks began almost as soon as the race did. Maes was stuck in the chasing groups for much of the race, although Honore did manage to hold with it nearly halfway through.


Maes and Honore in the second chasing group, suffering from a lack of cohesion

From this point the race entirely disintegrated into pockets of riders pacing together. Van Keirsbulck stayed ahead for the duration, and would secure a well deserved victory. Honore would fade away in the latter half of the race. Maes managed to hold a steady enough pace, despite the routes undulations, receiving a decent 8th place, unfortunately not enough to satisfy the team's sponsors.


Maes following Richardson over the crest for the final time

Management Grade: C+



On the African continent for the first of three times this season, Cort Nielsen and Yamamoto were both considered outside favourites for their respective jerseys. The opening stage was one for the sprinters and Yamamoto doesn't fail to disappoint. Initially in a great position, the third wheel in an effectively single line, Yamamoto is bullied off it by Awang. Caught in the wind, Yamamoto suffers, missing out on what could have been the stage victory. Blowing up just before the line, he drops to 7th.


Yamamoto challenging at the front

Fortunately enough, the Japanese sprinter was immediately provided with a second chance. Once more, he finds a good wheel, but this time is unable to follow green jersey Carsi as he accelerates. Fortunately, he does find his gear, but far too late to catch Carsi. Fonesca also manages to scoot passed him, leaving Yamamoto the final podium place. Third is still decent, and is enough for equal third in the fight for green, albeit a decent way behind Carsi.


Yamamoto edged to the line by Fonesca

The third day of cycling brings the queen stage, and the only true mountain of the entire tour. Cort Nielsen needed a good result here to have any chance at the GC. The Dane rides a quiet race, focused on staying with the leading group rather than worried about the favourites. It works out for him, and he is there right at the end, rolling across the line in 7th. The timing judges aren't happy with him however, and give him +23", claiming he lost contact right at the end.


Cort Nielsen reaches the top of Asmara

Following the eventful third stage, the GC settled down as the breakaway scored two victories while the peloton rested. There was little participation from any Tryg riders until Stage 6, when things would heat up once more. Amidst a variety of attacks, Cort Nielsen would suffer a puncture, forcing him to bravely fight his way back to the peloton alone. The attacks were reeled in, and the Dane set himself up well as they passed under the lanterne rouge. A quick burst of speed put him in front of Chaves, and secured him the stage victory.


Cort Nielsen celebrates winning Stage 6 of the Tour of Eritrea

Management Grade: A

South America, South East Asia, Africa, and now Oceania, in spite of its name Cort Nielsen's year in the CT Division has taken him all across the world in just a matter of months. An impressive string of results, including stage victories in Eritrea and Tachira, means that the Dane was being considered for another Top 5 finish. The Queen Stage up Takaka Hill was the only one to include a climb greater than Category 3, and the GC was bound to be decided between it and the Stage 7 40km ITT, with the opening prologue also a possible area of interest. Yamamoto would have at least three opportunities at a sprint finish, with the hilly Stage 6 also a possibility. The expectations on him were lower, with aspirations for a Top 10 points finish. Despite its decent length, the prologue doesn't produce massive gaps, with Cort Nielsen at +12".


Magnus Cort Nielsen peddling hard during the prologue

Vingegaard made it into the second day's breakaway, but failed to make any impact at the single intermediate sprint. Yamamoto found himself well positioned as the sprint trains began to form, but with the powerful leadout of Vingerling from a long way out, as well as a handful of technical corners saw him momentarily fall away from the front. This costs him a chance at the win, but a strong run to the line seems him finish 7th.


The first breakaway of the tour, including neo-pro Vingegaard

On the third day it was Zimmerman who made his way into the break, with the challenge of the climb up Takaka Hill looming. He only manages a handful of points at the first intermediate sprint, and with several GC challengers present the peloton is quick to reel them back. Kwiatkowski was the first to launch an attack with 9km to go, forcing a response from the pack, the pace would bring an end to Burmann's work for Cort Nielsen. Next to go was Saggiorato, followed by Kwiatkowski, at 3.5km. Cort Nielsen stuck with the chase as long as he could, dropping in the final kilometre to a disappointing 10th at +1'17", dropping him to 8th in the GC at +1'36" from Kwiatkowsi and the Top 5 seemingly out of reach.


Cort Nielsen in a tight finish

The next day was one of rest for the main GC competitors as they looked ahead to the hills and ITT. No Tryg riders made the break, so it was just Yamamoto in focus. He positioned himself well, for the finish, following the quick wheel of Sobota before slinging round him with 600m to go. Unfortunately, the move was made just too early, and his acceleration faltered just before the line. What looked like a possible podium culminated in a very tight 6th, as behind the victor, Canelon, they crossed the line six abreast.


Photographic evidence used to determine the finishing order

Pedersen was the third Tryg neo-pro to try his luck escaping from the peloton, although the flat profile made a breakaway victory unlikely in the fifth stage. Nonetheless, the young Dane was eager, taking a handful of points in an intermediate sprint before launching an attack from 20km out; although it only lasted five kilometres, the young cyclist spent plenty of time under the cameras. Mispositioning in a frantic finish forces Yamamoto into a late sprint which only nets him 7th.


Pedersen launching an attack from the BotD

The next stage falls to the breakaway, with several GC contenders making an attempt to pick up valuable seconds ahead of the final ITT. Fortunately for Cort Nielsen, the peloton manages to bring them back in, with only those without GC standing getting a time gap. Cort Nielsen only puts in a mediocre performance in the final stage, two seconds slower than neo-pro Niklas Larsen, but it is enough to secure eighth in the GC at +3'32". Disappointing when compared to early expectations, but perhaps what he deserved. Yamamoto's efforts in the sprints failed to provide a Top 10 Points finish, and the domestiques road far too supportingly to make any dividends of their own.


Cort Nielsen finishing his time in New Zealand as he started it, on the TT bike

Management Grade: C



Other than a unassuming outing in Canada, Hoelgaard hadn't had the opportunity to stretch his legs in the peloton since his successful visit to New Zealand. The semi-mountain profile added an element of uncertainty, with a wide variance in the skills of attendees. The Norwegian stood out as one of the better hybrid riders, his preference being for shorter ascents but still comfortable on longer gradients. Unfortunately, for Hoelgaard, the crew which had been assembled for him lacked in domestiques capable of chasing down a strong breakaway. The race infamous for breakaway victories would continue to produce them, as a failure by the favourites to cooperate in the chase allowed a sextet to reach the line minutes before the peloton. Hoelgaard did his best, but could only manage 9th, the third rider from the pack.


Hoelgaard leading Siskevicius to the line

Management Grade: B-



The sprints are undoubtedly the weakest of the team, so expectations were low for Hungary. Media expectations placed Yamamoto as an outsider for the Top 10. Making sure that even if the Japanese sprinter fell short the sponsors would be happy was Torjus Sleen, who formed half of the breakaway of the day. A decent effort, but he is caught with more than 22 kilometres left in the race. Yamamoto completely misses the winning move, and wins a sprint that places him outside the Top 25.


Torjus Sleen with a NENT rider

Management Grade: F



The third race highlighted by Tryg Insurance, and the team hoping for the third time to be the charm after Maes failed at the previous occassions. Pre-race predictions had him as a favourite for the podium, the strongest of the bunch outside Kasperiewicz and Van Keirsbulck. A large break forces Tryg to the front, but the lack of depth in the squad is on full display as the gap grows to five minutes with 20km to go.


Tryg riders trying to chase

Eventually Kasperkiewicz attacks, and Maes latches on to his wheel. Their effort comes too late however, and the seven of the breakaway make the finish before the chasing pack arrives. Maes is not part of that pack, his effort to follow Kasperkiewicz took too much ought of him, and he falls down the order. Undoubtedly the sponsors won't be happy with that.


Maes and Kasperkiewicz on the attack

Management Grade: F



Perhaps because of the events in San Marino, Hoelgaard didn't even appear on the radar of most pundits prior to the first edition of the GP Wallonie; it might also be because the event was stacked full of PCT talent. Even a Top 15 finish would be an impressive result from the young man. Unfortunately it was not to be, as Hoelgaard failed to make it into the main move, and instead led the peloton to the line.


Hoelgaard didn't even appear in any TV images, so enjoy Claeys winning for Minions

Management Grade: C



Yamamoto skipping out on attending here, his struggle for relevance in C2 sprints indicating it to be a wise decision. Instead Cort Nielsen looking to compete for a Top 20 as the peloton tackles the climb up Col Ospedale. There is no expectation of him to at the front, affirmed by his absence from the official preview. After a relaxed first stage, Cort Nielsen comes up short in the second, as he loses nearly a minute in just 7.4 kilometres, not a good sign for his GC ambitions.


Cort Nielsen cycling in Cyprus

Zimmerman slips into the break for the Queen Stage, although he is on the weaker side of a large group. In fact, he is dropped before they even reach the final climb. Cort Nielsen makes it into what is effectively the third group on the road, as the breakaway is swallowed up. Cort Nielsen holds his pace, and a strong ride makes him the highest placed CT rider. Evidently he wasn't the only rider to perform poorly on the second day, as 11th on the mountain pushes Cort Nielsen to 8th in the GC, a terrific result.


Finding the summit at +1'31" to the best of the PCT

Management Grade: A-

Nikolas Maes hadn't performed up to expectations so far in spring, with the hardest race of the season in Cheshire, May opened with an opportunity for him to redeem himself. The emphasis would be on the first and final stages for the Belgian, as he looked for a Top 15 finish. Jumping ahead of the peloton on day one was Aasvold, possibly looking for some KoM points.


Aasvold leading the breakaway

A heavy pace right off the start saw riders beginning to drop without much delay, Maes sat up near the front, following the drive of the favourites' teams. Indeed, with 40km remaining, the Tryg leader follows Nolf into an attack. Unfortunately the move wouldn't make it all the way to the end, instead being caught at the Mur, Maes's weak climbing unable to match the legs of Summerhill and Vanspeybrouck. Indeed the earlier move fatigued him and his companion such that they dropped off the winning move, with Maes finishing in a respectable 7th.


Maes attacking after Nolf

Nothing much exciting happened for the next three stages, two bunched sprints and one breakaway victory without any Tryg presence left only the final stage to decides the GC. Once more it was Aasvold making his way into the BotD, although this time he was joined by 18 other riders. Unfortunately the young Norwegian was unable to stick with the pace and quickly dropped back into the peloton. The GC leaders aren't willing to take any risks, and instead come in a few minutes behind the peloton. Maes with an impressive 7th thanks to that.


Aasvold along with the eventual stage winner and 17 others

Management Grade: A



The primary opportunity for riders in the CT division to show off their capabilities on the TT bike comes in the plains of Namibia. The sole timetrialist on the team, Mathias Norsgaard, is only at the beginning of his career and thus has a lot of improvement yet to come; as such, there was little expectation coming into this race which the MGUCI had mandated we attend. Norsgaard, Chokri, and Bergstrom Frisk attended, although all three finished outside the Top 30. No images of the riders were taken.

Management Grade: C


A good aggressive ride across the channel meant that expectations had risen for Maes, although they were still tempered by his previous poor form; perhaps another good result could indicate an upswing for the aging Belgian? Nobody makes it into the breakaway for Tryg, and instead the damage quickly begins to rack up in the peloton, as the paves cause many quite some grief. Over the cobbles, a quartet of favourites make a move, and one of them is Maes!


Maes joining the first escape group

Nobody is willing to work for their competitors and instead a larger group of favourites coallesces once more, up to fourteen before the next cobbled section. Van Keirsulck goes alone, and Maes can only manage to make it into E3, quickly dropping back to over two minutes behind the leading man. Even this group is too much for Maes, and he finishes a disappointing 11th after appearing to be strong early on.


Maes having come of worse in the splits

Management Grade: C


A quick jaunt in Africa sees Nikolas Maes a favourite for victory on some very flat cobbled parcours in Stage One and Stage Three, with the second stage similar, but without the paves. Tryg domestiques work to bring in the relatively large breakaway, and with a long way to go, and a massive cobbled section they succeed in doing so.


Tryg at the front in numbers

It's Corwin who set down a pace for Azteca, causing a selection in the pack with Maes easily making the cut. Nobody is willing to work, so Maes has to take a turn at the front, not what he'd like with considerable numbers still present. Without much road left Maes is wiling to let up the pace, before taking 5th in the select sprint.


Maes made to work at the front

Norsgaard makes a late move into the breakaway on the second day, perhaps hoping to avoid elimination at the end of the stage. Instead the peloton lets the break go, building up a significant lead. Norsgaard fails to make a move early on, and lacks the punch necessary to secure a good finish, nonetheless a good experience for the youngster to be part of a breakaway victory.


Norsgaard featured prominently in the breakaway

The final stage is exciting from the start, with the leaders immediately taking off. Maes misses out on the first move, but is fortunate enough to make his way back in relatively early on. Kasperkiewicz, Maes' main rival for favourite, goes solo from a long way out, forcing the escape group to pick up the pace and shed riders.


Maes making his way back to E2

A short change of terrain is enough for Maes to bridge the gap to Kasperkiewicz, 32 seconds ahead of the yellow jersey group. The Pole doesn't have his best legs, and Maes precedes to ride away from him although its still barely a quarter of the way through the stage. Maes powering away on a solo journey, approaching halfway he has expanded the gap to 1'20", with the main chase group back at 2'48".


Maes out all by himself

Maes had a two minute gap with just 26 kilometres standing between him and victory, but a long time alone out in front had left his legs heavy. Halfway through the cobbles and the gap is down to just over a minute. The chasing group explodes just before it reaches Maes, leaving just Richardson, who catches him under the 10km arch.


10km to go

Richardson has the energy advantage, knowing he can attack whenever necessary he lets Maes drag the pair towards the finish. It is only under the red kite that he makes his move, storming away from the fatigued Belgian. Earlier results meant that Maes was ahead by 55 seconds, so the size of the gap over one kilometre will decide the GC. Unfortunately Maes struggled to roll over the line a whole 49 seconds down which, with the addition of the time gained at the finish pushes Richardson to victory with Maes at +1". Nobody else from Tryg made it home.

Management Grade: A


The most difficult race of the month, and quite possibly the most difficult race of Magnus Cort Nielsen's season. He must climb through the Pyrenees for five days straight competing against a C1 field. Norsgaard and Burmann both make an effort to get into the days breakaway, but only hte latter actually makes it. Burmann does a good job to compete for KoM points throughout the day. Cort Nielsen was unable to hold on to the wheel ahead in the closing stages and ends up in 14th.


Burmann leading the break

A breakaway victory on the second stage, but no Tryg riders made it, so nothing significant there. The day after saw Bergstrom Frisk and Zimmerman making it into a 10 man breakaway, although disappointing that Burmann wasn't there making an effort for the polkadots.


Zimmerman leading the opening attack

Speaking of the polkadots, Burmann finds his way to the front of the peloton to grab some points at the top of a HC climb. A new breakaway forms, and Burmann is there. More points at the top of the next hill, but not enough to get him close to grabbing the jersey overnight. The break is down to four with 33km to go, and Burmann was still there. Unfortunately, that was all she wrote, and the Chilean slid back to the peloton. Cort Nielsen had a quiet day, and wasn't able to follow the winning move, ending the day all the way down in 19th, causing him to slip back to 13th in the GC.


Burmann rolling through an intermediate sprint

Stage 4 was a Mountain TT, so a chance to truly test the respective climbing abilities. Probably not the best for Cort Nielsen considering his performances so far. Indeed, he only manages 28th. The final stage, and the final opportunity for Cort Nielsen and Burmann to make up some places in their respective standings. Burmann moved into the breakaway at the start of the stage. He missed out on the first classification, and could only score second on the second, putting him in fourth. Burmann is then dropped from the front of the breakaway, and scores no more points, 4th in the KoM for him. Cort Nielsen blows up to finish 47th on the stage.


Burmann checks where Nazaret is at one of the final day's summits

Management Grade: C-

It seems like everywhere you look Maes is out on his bicycle. After his near victory in Africa he's flown to Poland, where he faces off against a much tougher C1 field. His performance in Cheshire showed that he could hold his own against the PCT, so a chance to snatch some points here. The ride is one of attrition, with contenders and domestiques slowly falling off the back of the peloton, a process accelerated as the attacks begin in the final 30 kilometres. First it is Baugnies, and then Kasperkiewicz, but both time they are brought back. Coming towards the end, Stallaert ups the pace and forces a seperation, putting Maes into a leading group of 4.


Maes and co ride away from the peloton

Zepuntke still has a domestique, who uses his final drop of effort to bring the lead group back to make it 11 riders in contention, he then promptly drops from it. Bush and Kasperkiewicz also can't stay with it, making it 8 riders remaining. Summerhill attacks the group, forcing Ferreira to respond, and sapping energy from the pair. There aren't any more attacks, and in the select sprint Maes manages fourth, a very strong performance considering the difficult field.


Maes nearing the finish

Management Grade: A



Near to home, and in one of the sponsor's target markets, Lillestrom was an opportunity for Maes to extend his good form on the paves. Although he was mentioned in the media predictions, he wasn't presented as an outright favourite due to the lack of support from the team. The cobbled sectors prove difficulty, and with Tryg domestiques taking part in pace-setting the peloton quickly reduces in numbers.


Tryg riders leading the reduced peloton

A long way out, several outsiders escape from the peloton, forming a dangerous group which the various domestiques struggle to bring back. With 50km to go, and a 4 minute gap, things began to look dangerous. Kasperkiewicz took the front of the peloton with Maes right behind him.


Maes follows Kasperkiewicz in the chase

The efforts of the young Pole isn't enough, and with nobody else willing to join the break will be gifted the win. Realising this, Maes lowers his effort and costs to a relatively disappointing 15th place, although it was as much due to his competitors as it was himself.

Management Grade: C-


The General Classification in Vancouver was set to rely on a mixture of pure climbing ability and TTT, neither of which are Cort Nielsen's strengths. Additionally, there were three stages for Yamamoto to tackle, offering an opportunity for the points jersey. The race opens with a mountainous prologue, and Cort Nielsen and surprisingly Burmann produce good results, finishing 9th and 10th respectively at +39".


Cort Nielsen alone in the wet

A series of bends right before the finish in Stage 2 result in a split in the peloton, with Cort Nielsen and Burmann caught on the wrong side. Fortunately, it's mostly sprinters who make it, and they don't lose any positions in the GC, still within a minute of the podium. Yamamoto is in the select group, and secures 7th at the line.


Yamamoto in the select group

The next stage is another flat one, this time without any gaps. No Tryg domestiques in the breakaway, so it doesn't look like they'll be making a challenge for the KoM here. Instead it's Yamamoto who takes centre stage. He doesn't position perfectly in the sprint, and can't find a gap to progress through, forcing him to settle for 6th.


Yamamoto in the sprint

Day 4 returns to the Canadian mountains, this time with an extremely steep climb to the finish. Once more, Tryg is not present in the breakway. The excitement begins as Saggiorato is the first to make a move. Medvedev and Cort Nielsen follow him, but are brought back by the efforts of Potocki and Hardy with five kilometres to go. Burmann has made a courageous effort to stick with the group, but he is forced to let go.


Burmann, already tiring with kilometres of climbing still to come

Pinot is launched ahead of the group by Potocki, forcing Eastman to chase him back. The American is too powerful for the rest of the group, as Kiserlovski, Valls, Medvedev, and Cort Nielsen link up behind him. Eastman storms up to Pinot, passes him, and gains 21 seconds by the summit. Cort Nielsen fights his way to fourth, finishing at the same time as those around him, a minute behind the leader. Burmann is 20th, at +6'04".


Cort Nielsen forcing himself to the summit

A rest day before we get back to the GC fight, and an opportunity for Yamamoto to snatch a Top 10 points finish. Tryg domestiques still very passive, sticking with the peloton. The peloton isn't willing to work, tired after the hard climb yesterday, and dreading the one tomorrow. Instead, it is the breakaway who take the victory, with Yamamoto fourth from the break and 10th overall.


Yamamoto fighting for 7th

Stage 6 brings the final climbs, although the GC won't be truly finished until the TTT on the morrow. In terms of the GC, Pinot is at +1'11" from Eastman and is expecting to lose time to him tomorrow as well, the more interesting fight may well be with Kiserlovski (+1'50). Cort Nielsen needed to gain time on his competitors if he wanted to secure his Top 5. Similarly, Burmann would be in for a fight for the Top 20. Yamamoto hadn't done enough, and would probably fall out of the points Top 10, but Cort Nielsen could move in. Zimmerman was similarly close to a Top 10 in the Youth category. Saggiorato and Pinot launch an attack near the base of the final ascent.


The intial attack, Cort Nielsen and Burmann are in the yellow jersey group

Valls attempts to bridge to the escape group, with Cort Nielsen following. The Dane isn't strong enough to follow the move, and drops back into the yellow jersey group which now consists of Kiserlovski, Ratiy, Faiers, and, of course, Eastman. They're nearly a minute behind Pinot with 3.5 kilometres remaining. Cort Nielsen looks likely to drop a place to Valls, who started this stage just a second behind him, but will probably gain that back from Medvedev, who hasn't got away from the peloton.


Cort Nielsen in Group Yellow Jersey

It seems that Eastman's legs are not having the best day, as Cort Nielsen and Faiers proceed to ride away from him, and up towards Saggiorato, who tired himself in his earlier attack. Right at the end Eastman lights up, and surges up passed multiple tiring riders. Cort Nielsen overestimated himself, and can't quite make it to the end, finishing 10th on the stage. Eastman's last gasp effort wasn't enough to secure the yellow jersey, which passes to Pinot. Cort Nielsen dropped GC spots to Valls and Faiers, but did take one off of Medvedev.


Cort Nielsen rides away from Group Yellow Jersey

In the final stage, Tryg manage a decent 9th at +31", meaning there is no change for Cort Nielsen's GC. Azteca haul Eastman to victory over Pinot by +14, easily overcoming the five second deficit. Wolfgang Burmann ends up 31st, disappointing after the early promise from the Chilean champion. Yamamoto 14th in the points, with Cort Nielsen pipping him in 11th. Zimmerman just over a minute away from a Top 10 Youth finish.


The team relaying in the final stage

Management Grade: B+


It's always difficult to race against the best the PCT has to offer, and in South Africa, with quite possibly the worst TT squad in the peloton, Hoelgaard's hopes for the GC were almost nonexistent. Instead, he would be aiming to secure some decent finishes on the hillier stages, and maybe snatch some points that way. Things got off to an inauspicious start when Aasvold, Sleen, and Kanter all made it into the breakaway on the first day. Unfortunately they don't make it to the end, instead being swallowed up in the final short climb to the finish. Aasvold got some decent KoM points, and Kanter finished in the Top 20, while Hoelgaard sat back in the back, confident no gaps would form.


The Tryg domestiques pushing towards the finish

Aasvold doesn't make it into the break, so won't continue his run at the polkadots, instead being pressganged into working for Hoelgaard today. It doesn't look like anyone wanted to have a go, and Hoelgaard misses the decisive move, and just peddles it out in the peloton. The next day it is Maes who slots himself into the breakaway. Maes slides home in 23rd, but once more Hoelgaard is absent. Perhaps the C1 field is too tough for him?


The breakaway, Maes on the right

The team timetrial is probably the hardest Hoelgaard has worked so far, and even then the team only manages 18th. Finally, Hoelgaard decides he wants some action and jumps into the breakaway, quickly winning a pair of KoM sprints for his first action of the race. That's it for the stage, as Hoelgaard can't stick with the pace out in front, and drops off to finish 22nd. Hoelgaard returns to the break the next day, perhaps this time he will reach the finish line. He does, but is beaten at the finish by Roux, and simultaneously caught by the oncoming Cherkasov. Despite this, third is far and away the best result of the tour, and brings Hoelgaard up to 19th in the GC, so not a total disaster.

Management Grade: C

A chance at redemption for Hoelgaard, as he returns to ride against a C2 field in Argentina. Media predictions placed the Norwegian as an outsider for the win on stages three, four, six, and seven; while his potential for the GC was dismissed due to his relatively lacking skill on the TT bike. The opening stage was a prologue of a little over four kilometres where the youngsters would shine with first Steimle, and then Larsen, temporarily in the hotseat. Neither would hold on till, the end, but Larsen would manage a decent 14th, putting him third in the Youth standings.


Steimle is first to take the temporary GC lead

The second stage seems destined for a sprint finish, so Kanter makes his way into the breakaway of the day. He is eventually dropped towards the end of the stage after making a couple attempts at the intermediate sprints. He quickly drops back into the peloton, but manages to find a decent draft and powers down to finish with the main pack. An impressive from the youngster considering a number of notable names couldn't keep with the pace. His effort is enough to put him in the yellow jersey overnight.


Kanter wins the first intermediate sprint

The climbs arrived on day three, as the course lead the peloton around a circuit featuring a Cat 3 climb. Kanter didn't repeat his heroics of the previous day, and was eventually dropped from the peloton, meaning he wouldn't hold on to the yellow jersey for a second day. For a time it seemed as though the breakaway would make it to the end, but the peleton chased down a gap of over three minutes in the final 10 kilometres. A select group of puncheurs seperated from the main bunch, from which Meyer was the first to attack. Hoelgaard was the quickest to respond, but his move was too late and he could only manage second.


Hoelgaard making an attempt for the win, with Meyer just ahead

A single obstacle on the fourth day of racing as we reached the midway point, a single 2nd Category climb near the finish. No Tryg jerseys made it into the day's break. Having crested the climb, Squire launched an attack with Hoelgaard on his wheel. The pair quickly built a gap to the rest of the favourites, and with 5 kilometres to go where quickly closing the gap to the last member of the breakaway. Hoelgaard attacked over the top of that rider, and then held on to win the stage. The judges were rather harsh and elected not to grant any time gaps between the Norwegian and the peleton, which would frustrate his chances at the GC.


Hoelgaard solo coming under the flamme rouge

The impact of the judges decision was felt keenly, as the next stage was the ITT. Hoelgaard has never been known for his skill on the TT bike, and that day things were no different. A few extra seconds might've put him in a position to properly contest for the GC, but unfortunately that wasn't the way it was to be. Instead, with a time some two minutes slower than the fastest of the day, the Norwegian would fall down to 10th, at +1'11.


In the yellow jersey, riding the TT bike

It was back to the road for the next stage, with an exciting summit finish providing an opportunity to contest the GC. Once more, the Tryg domestiques decide to stay back in the peloton. Instead it is Hoelgaard who follows an attack up the final climb. Bystrom is the first to move, but Hoelgaard is the strongest driving over top of him with just Siskevicius on his wheel. It was too early from the Tryg rider however, as the Lithuanian counterattacks for the victory. A tired Hoelgaard falls victim to the late moves of Meyer and Costa, to tumble to fourth on the Stage.


Siskevicius rides away from Hoelgaard

The last chance at the GC, and some rolling hills lead into a final climb at the finish on Stage 7. The peloton doesn't work very hard, and it is a victory for the breakaway. Hoelgaard doesn't attack the final climb, and instead sits with the favourites group, settling for 12th. Casper Pedersen has a go at sprinting in the final stage, but can only manage 15th.


The favourites finish Stage 7

Management Grade: A


A difficult race with three mountain stages, a team timetrial, and a singular flat stage for the sprinters; Cort Nielsen wasn't even considered by the Media due to the strength of the C2 field that was present. A relatively quiet first stage sees Cort Nielsen managing 12th a relatively large group of climbers. The following day was the team time trial, where despite having a relatively weak side composed of talents, Tryg were still tipped to finish in the top half. Together they finish 11th, with a time of +46.


Pedalling through Bulgaria together

Vingegaard slides into the break on the third day of racing. Once more it is relatively quiet from the main pack. The only rider willing to attack is Faiers, who takes the stage win. Cort Nielsen finishes in the select group, 13th on the Stage. There was no Tryg presence in Stage 4. The gradients of the final stage also failed to produce exciting racing. The breakaway managed to take the victory, with an exciting ride by Pirazzi, while Cort Nielsen took 9th in a bunched sprint.

Management Grade: C


While Cort Nielsen was busy in Bulgaria, a hodgepodge squad was sent to Georgia to tackle the climbs in Sakartvelo. No favourites, no real expectations, just an Belgian cobbler and some talented youth. The cameras never fell on a Tryg jersey as Abdurrahman managed the best result in 48th.

Management Grade: D+


The final race of the month brought Tryg to Lithuania, where the plains of the Baltic nation would play host to the CT's annual TTT event. With the race days of Tryg's leaders needed elsewhere, a weakened squad would look to relay their way away from the wooden spoon. Indeed, there is nothng special from Tryg, who only do enough to scrape into the middle of the pack.


The boys pushing hard

Management Grade: D+