Russian WorldTour Katusha Team is happy to announce about beginning of collaboration with Belgian clothing company Decca.
As a consequence of the partnership deal between Decca and Katusha Team in 2014 the Russian team will ride in a freshly new designed Kit of Decca.
For Team Manager Viacheslav Ekimov the choice from a WorldTour Team for the Belgian brand is logical:
- For me it is like coming home, – Ekimov explains. – As a rider I was wearing Decca in the years I rode for a few teams in my career. I just have good memories, not only of the quality of the clothing, but also of the company and the people. It was a pleasure for me to notice the evolution from a family business to a brand with international fame. Decca’s top quality convinced us to work with the Belgian brand for the upcoming season. Our riders just deserve the best.
Also, for Decca it is a special moment:
- We are happy that Katusha Team, placed 9th in the World’s ranking, has chosen us, - said Eric De Clercq, CEO and son of Decca founder August De Clercq. – They know that we will not only give them top quality but also will collaborate with them every day to adjust our product to fulfill the needs of the team. Riders will only perform when all material is perfect. The feedback from the team’s leaders as the teams star Alexander Kristoff and the Russian athletes, like Russian champion Alexander Porsev or Sergei Chernetskyi will make our product even better and our product is already unique. The complete production happens in our factory in Zottegem. All pants, jerseys and wind jackets pass our critical inspection before coming on the market. This is the re-start of something beautiful.
World Champion Joaquim Rodríguez to leave the team
After some long negotiations with the managers of Tinkoff-Saxo it became clear that the biggest star of Katusha would leave the team to spend the last years of his careers alongside his long time rival and fellow countryman Alberto Contador. In exchange for that Czech superstar and Grand Tour contender Roman Kreuziger joins Katusha. This allows us to strengthen the eastern European focus of the team. Also now riding in the colors of the new Decca fabricate is Marko Kump. The Slovenian is strengthening the sprinters squad around Alexander Kristoff.
Following to Tinkoff is Purito's long friend and luxus domestique Dani Moreno.
Before the start of the 2014 season the team went through a big change with a lot of riders leaving the team as well as new faces joining in. The big goal throughout the transfer season was to lay more emphasis on East Europe/Russia without neglecting the Spanish and Italian core. The number of Spanish riders, however shrank drastically with every Spanish rider leaving and only Maté going the other way. This made room for riders from countries that are a lot closer to Russia and share a common history with mother Russia. Our GT leaders are now both from Eastern Europe with Kreuziger coming in and Spilak staying. But also we could secure contracts with Russian talents like puncher Ivan Rovny or Alexander Foliforov. Also the team is currently in negotiations with the two young Russish sprinters Roman Maikin and Mamyr Stash who are also likely to make their jump to the WT now.
Coming down from the coldest places of Tyrol, Richard Loewenherz has an odd name but the English translation of Lionheart holds up to this fighter through and through. He is born with the trademarks of a true racer, a fighter formed and steeled by nature; he will give everything even if the odds are overwhelmingly against him.
Coming from a Cyclo-Cross background, Loewenherz has caused quite a fuss in his young years, when he hailed down like an avalanche on those poor city biker souls. Used to riding in the snow, mud and woods, this guy knows how to handle any kind of terrain. He lives for mud, sweat & gears. The roots of the dangerous road may have broken his chains, but they have also steeled his will. He enjoys the melancholic winter atmosphere as much as the heat breezes of a summer mountain. Eager to show his competitiveness, he participated in some Belgian Cyclocross races, but eventually the traveling took the better of him at this very young age and forced him back home. He endured the hardships, looked already for possible teams in teenage years and is now hopeful that he can achieve some success on the road. He was raised to compete, to not fear the pain. He always feels the burn. He does not need forgiveness thus he will always push just that little harder. He doesn’t care about his pay-check. All he needs is some gear, and when he is packed in, when he breathes into his scarf, he is ready. These are the perks of being raised by some maniac cycling-lovers in a remote village. Racing is everything to this guy. He does it 365 days a year – taking an off-day is for this fanatic rider non-disputable. He will work for his teammates tirelessly. He will go into breakaways more often than you dare to count. And eventually, one day, he will come out on top.
Season 2013
Löwenherz made a successful entry to the World Tour by riding two monuments. In both races, Ronde van Vlaanderen and Paris-Roubaix, he was featured in the breakaway. A first highlight was the 22nd place of La Fleche Wallone, again contriubted by an early breakaway.
Löwenherz has spent much time then helping his teammates like Kristoff to stage victory honours, performing lead-out and domestique duties. Having been dubbed both of an "Archduke of Breakaways" by legendary Jens Voigt as well as "King of Domestiques" by race commentator The Rider, Löwenherz has established himself as a versatile rider for Katusha in his premier season.
The absolute hightlight of 2013 has been - without a doubt - his performance at Eneco Tour. On the second day, Löwenherz was part of a breakaway, amongst them Johan Le Bon from FDJ, who managed to keep themselves ahead of the peloton. Though Löwenherz couldn't win the stage, he remained among the first in the classification after the tougher hill & cobblestone stages. In the end, he achieved a 5th place in the General Classification, securing him some nice points and gaining some praise.
Unfortunately, Löwenherz couldn't use this spark and the remaining races were a bit of a disappointment. The U23 World Championships were basically a non-event for him, having been featured only in the bunch. Probably the late call to selection put his form off a bit, he must have been already on his way into holiday.
What's going on in 2014?
Löwenherz stays with Katusha for at least two years, negotiated in his contract under the condition that both remain active. He will try to improve on his spirits and gain more experience in breakaways. Löwenherz aims to be a true all-rounder and hopes to improve in many discplines, including Prologue and his Fighter Heart.
-Stats-
Start Stat
Upgrade (1:1)
71-75 (2:1)
76-79 Stat (4:1)
Obtained Upgrades
Total Stats
Flat:
55
15
4
2
74
Hill:
55
15
2
1
72
Mnt:
55
10
65
TT:
55
10
65
Prol:
55
5
1
61
Cob:
55
15
1
71
Spr:
55
15
70
Acc:
55
13
1
69
Desc:
55
13
68
End:
55
15
1
71
Res:
55
10
6
71
Fight:
55
15
8
74
Rec:
55
10
1
66
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
After a meeting of the management and some representatives of our main sponsors the team came up with three goals for the early part of the season.
Easy
Top 10
Tour Down Under
Medium
Top 10
Milano - San Remo
Hard
Top 3
Paris - Nice
Firstly we'd like to shine right in the first WT event of the season at the Tour Down Under. Giampaolo Caruso will lead the team there with Kolobnev as co-leader. Those two are surely not the top favourites travelling to Australia but a surprise is definitely possible and a top 10 certainly within reach. As the second goal the team is hoping for a top 10 at Milano - San Remo, which should be achieved by Alexander Kristoff. The Norvegian names the monument as his first major goal of the season and is certain that he'll get into the top 10 and maybe even challenge for a podium. New star of the team Roman Kreuziger, who focuses his season planning on the Vuelta later in the year, will ride his first race at Paris - Nice. The expectations for him are high, but depending on the startlist the goal of a top 3 is possible.
I've worked hard last year on my bike handling & flat prowess, so I'd like to help Kristoff in some of the cobbled events. It's important for me to get early in touch with them again, so I'd like to start racing as soon as Omloop. If the team is qualified for this races anyway?
There's also hope in me that I can shine on the World Tour again this year. Races like Paris-Nice or Catalunya don't really suit me, but I can eye a breakaway here and there.
I don't have many more wishes this season, though I do feel ready for the domestique duties of a Grand Tour this season. I lack in terms of recovery though, so I might still be better used in short stage races and classics but that's of course up to you Mr. Vodkakov and your vodka-enlighted mind.
Cheers!
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Hello everybody. Boy does it feel good to be here at Katusha. The buoyant atmosphere here really is like a breath of fresh air for this Croatian. I have said before that I am not one for nationalism, and all that jazz, but the cluster of east Europeans present really makes me feel welcome. Unlike other EPIC riders, I won't be overwhelming you with posts, however, in respect of Katusha, when I will post it will be well written and to the point.
Although, at the first, we appeared to be very different, I reckon myself and Richard Löwenherz, or Rikky as I am calling him, will get on just find. I don't expect to be leading any races in part 1, being apart of the sprint train juggernaut, however, I do expect a handsome amount of chances to lead the team in the sprints sometime this season.
That being said we will have some problems, big problems, if I am not added to the roster for these races:
- Tour Down Under
- Milan-San Remo
Špiro's current morale: 80/100
What is Špiro's morale? Find out next time as it will change!
We wish all of our riders that have left the team after the previous season good luck in their further career or at whatever they decide to do now. We're looking forward to race against some of them in the future.
IN
Jan Barta
Netapp - Endura
Grega Bole
Vacansoleil
Alexander Foliforov
Elite 2
Gregor Gazvoda
Champion Systems
Roman Kreuziger
Tinkoff - Saxo
Marko Kump
Tinkoff - Saxo
Sergey Lagutin
Vacansoleil
Roman Maikin
Elite 2
Luis Ángel Maté
Cofidis
Špiro Miloševic
IAM Cycling
Ivan Rovny
Elite 2
Serghei Tvetcov
Elite 2
New Faces
In the following we will present you the new additions to the team and their planned role within the team.
Nat
Last Name
First Name
Age
AVG
MO
HI
TT
CB
SP
Barta
Jan
30
73,4
69
73
76
58
62
Jan Barta is a big addition to our timetrialing department. Only Simon Spilak is rated a stronger timetrialer of our team. He will be used as a support for mainly Roman Kreuziger in Team Time Trials.
Nat
Last Name
First Name
Age
AVG
MO
HI
TT
CB
SP
Bole
Grega
29
72,0
62
70
63
68
72
Bole is one of our three new Slovenian signings. As a decent sprinting domestique his duties will be to strengthen our sprint train, mainly for Alexander Kristoff.
Nat
Last Name
First Name
Age
AVG
MO
HI
TT
CB
SP
Foliforov
Alexander
22
68,8
70
67
64
56
58
Foliforov is one of the needed signings of a young Russian talent. He won't be a superstar, but showed already some promising results in the mountains.
Nat
Last Name
First Name
Age
AVG
MO
HI
TT
CB
SP
Gazvoda
Gregor
33
68,5
64
67
70
57
63
Gazvoda is our weekest signing. The aging time trial specialist will most likely only spend one year at the team but fits our Eastern European focus.
Nat
Last Name
First Name
Age
AVG
MO
HI
TT
CB
SP
Kreuziger
Roman
28
78,2
80
79
74
64
58
Roman Kreuziger is the new big signing of our team. Replacing Purito as the main man for Grand Tours. Kreuziger is aiming at the Vuelta this year, where Katusha failed last year with a lot of bad luck.
Nat
Last Name
First Name
Age
AVG
MO
HI
TT
CB
SP
Kump
Marko
26
73,1
58
67
64
70
73
Kump came alongside Kreuziger from Tinkoff - Saxo. He is also a decent help for our main sprinters and still young, so we hope him to improve further in the coming years.
Nat
Last Name
First Name
Age
AVG
MO
HI
TT
CB
SP
Lagutin
Sergey
33
73,6
72
74
65
58
65
The experienced Uzbeque came to our team as a support in hilly classics. We also hope to see him being part of some breakaways.
Nat
Last Name
First Name
Age
AVG
MO
HI
TT
CB
SP
Maikin
Roman
24
71,9
58
68
62
63
72
Maikin is a promising young Russian sprinter, whom we'd like to see to improve into one of the best. This year, however, he still will have to deal with domestique duties.
Nat
Last Name
First Name
Age
AVG
MO
HI
TT
CB
SP
Maté
Luis Ángel
30
71,5
70
72
63
53
63
After we saw all our Spaniards to leave, we wished to have at least one Spanish rider in our team still. That is the reason for signing Maté. He is a man for the breakaways.
Nat
Last Name
First Name
Age
AVG
MO
HI
TT
CB
SP
Miloševic
Špiro
25
74,3
62
64
65
63
75
Špiro is one of our best new signings. The young Croatian champ will be a great addition to our sprinters. Next to Kristoff he is the man #2 and will also get some chances to rider for himself.
Nat
Last Name
First Name
Age
AVG
MO
HI
TT
CB
SP
Rovny
Ivan
27
72,4
71
73
67
53
64
Rovny is our third new Russian signing. Being a decent puncheur, he will wear our jersey at the ardennes classics, supporting the respective leader.
Nat
Last Name
First Name
Age
AVG
MO
HI
TT
CB
SP
Tvetcov
Serghei
26
71,4
72
71
68
57
68
Tvetcov caught our eye by being quite successful in smaller North American races. We hope that he can confirm our impression and also be good for some surprises at world tour level,
Katusha Team 2014:
An anniversary and a horseshoe for a “good luck”
In the ancient city Koblenz, Germany, where Julius Caesar built a bridge across the Rhine, the presentation of the 2014 Russian Team Katusha took place. Although the team was completed already some time ago, the full roster of Katusha Team has only now been presented in the colorful ceremony held at the headquarters of the famous bicycle company “Canyon”, for which the new season will be the third one together with Katusha.
The event was not only the traditional presentation of the team, but the celebration of the 5th anniversary since the establishment of Katusha and the Russian Global Cycling Project.
The presentation was held in the presence of a large number of guests, journalists, and enthusiastic fans, who were able to see their favorites at arm’s length.
One of the main points of the presentation came in the form of a symbolic gift, which the head of the Russian Global Cycling Project and the President of ITERA International Group of Companies Igor Makarov made to Katusha General Manager Yuri Vodkakov. A big horseshoe, which was presented by Igor Makarov, is supposed to bring luck to the whole team Katusha in the new season, keeping with tradition in Russia where the horseshoe is a symbol of good luck and happiness.
- I thank Igor Makarov for a great gift. It will undoubtedly be a lucky talisman for the team Katusha. In the team’s office we have a great location for this horseshoe – it will be the first thing to greet the employees of the team, riders, staff and, of course, to bring them and the whole team good luck and happiness. I am sure that the new season will be successful for our team. Huge work has been done; we have invaluable experience, forces, capabilities and powerful support from sponsors and partners. Therefore, victories will be the natural result! – said Yuri Vodkakov from the stage.
As a special guest Karl Marx of the administration of our fellow communist team Champion System came on the stage and talked about the new additions of the Katusha team. Marx praised how the Katusha management invested in the depth of the team and he found some nice words on the newly established Eastern European focus.
Of course, the central event of the evening was the presentation of the rider’s line-up for 2014. One by one the riders went out on the stage to receive a huge welcome by the guests of the event.
On the stage, ceremony moderators, renowned commentator Sergey Kurdyukov and brilliant journalist Maria Komandnaya asked questions to some of the riders.
“I am proud to wear the Russian national champion jersey and I hope to show it early in the year. My goals are the sprint stages. I really look forward to them.” – said Alexander Porsev.
On the stage of the Canyon showroom, the best Katusha sprinter Alexander Kristoff made known his ambitions for the classic races as well as sharing his goal for 2014 of beating his record six victories from the previous season:
“People know me as a sprinter but I don’t have the explosivity of riders like Cavendish and Kittel, but I can beat them in the harder races and that’s my goal. I hope to surprise everyone in the Spring classics but also in the Tour. The tour starts in England and I have always performed well in British races.”
One of the main guests of the ceremony was, of course, the President of the Canyon company Roman Arnold, who wished the Katusha Team a lot of bright and memorable victories in the new season, expressing hope that not just a horseshoe, but also Canyon bikes will bring good luck and success to the Russian team.
With everyone acknowledging that the team presentation was the best in all five years, the ceremony ended with the anthem of the Russian Federation and official photo shooting and team’s communication with representatives of the media. Afterwards the guests and participants of the presentation went for dinner in the magnificent Palace Kurfürstliches Schloss on the banks of the Rhine.
Roman Kreuziger will most likely be the man to score the most points for our team. Those will be very important for our goal of getting into the top 10 of the rankings. Roman's main objective this season is the Vuelta a Espana, where he is hoping to challenge for the overall win. On top of that we will use him at the ardennes classics where a podium is his goal as well.
Nat
Last Name
First Name
Age
AVG
MO
HI
TT
CB
SP
Kristoff
Alexander
27
78,3
63
74
71
78
79
The Norwegian champion is the second very important man for the team. Kristoff belongs to the best sprinters of the world and is our man in flat races. His skills to compete at long classics add on that. He will be leader in the cobbled classics, as well as Milano - San Remo. Kristoff will ride the Tour de France this year again, where he will have to imrpove on his results of last year.
Nat
Last Name
First Name
Age
AVG
MO
HI
TT
CB
SP
Spilak
Simon
28
77
78
78
77
67
64
Our second strong stage racer is Simon Spilak. This year the Slovenian will aim at the Giro d'Italia and depending on his freshness also try for a good overall result at the Tour de France.
While the new Katusha kit was already presented some weeks ago, now also the national champions jerseys for 7 of our riders were presented. The new national champions jerseys are very different to the ones that we used last season. The idea was to come up with a more noticable design and so the flag of the respective country now takes up the whole jersey.
The CEO of Decca, Eric De Clercq, explained: "It was important to us to have a fresh design. The new national champions jerseys will be easily spotted and brighten up the peloton."
Double Latvian champion Gatis Smukulis said, that he is looking forward to ride in the new design. Two dark red stripes will be over his breast on a mainly white jersey. Next to Smukulis also Roman Kreuziger (TT), Simon Spilak (TT), Alexander Porsev (RR), Špiro Miloševic (RR), Sergey CHernetskiy (RR) and Alexander Kristoff (RR) will have a special jersey to wear, at least until June. Especially from the latter one we are hoping for some wins in that jersey.
