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Christian Schultze | Breakaway Specialist
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 20-01-2015 20:44
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Dear readers,
This is the first of hopefully many entries in this online blog. I am at the start line of adulthood and everything that comes with it. I'm not the type of man that has the need to share his entire life story with everyone else, but in this blog I will try to push my own limits.
However, I will focus my energy mostly on my career here. I want to document my entire career, from start to finish, and share it with everyone, online. Maybe it won't last long and I'll be at college in two years' time. I guess you never know what life throws at you. But it might just turn out to be a long and winding road. Either way, I hope you're in for the ride.
Christian Reinhard Schultze
I'm Christian Reinhard Schultze, born on the 21th of March 1993 in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany. Located at the Black Forest, Freiburg is a big city with over 200.000 inhabitants. It's known as the warmest and sunniest city in all of Germany, so I had few complaints growing up.
Mine was a happy childhood. I have countless fond memories of our little house at the end of the street. Our old swingset that used to scare my little sister at night, or the trees at the end of our garden where we used to build our camps, where we were safe from the world.
As calm as I was at home and at school, as wild I was outside. I was constantly outdoors, doing all sorts of things with my friends. Pushing ourselves to the limits, running through the woods, planning mischief, sometimes. With the Black Forest at our doorstep, I guess we had it easy. Not for all the gold in the world would I want to grow up in a concrete jungle.
We didn't have a care in the world. But that all changed when we hit 16. We were growing up, and our teachers confronted us with reality. "What do you want to do?" I spend months trying to figure it out. Suddenly it hit me: sports. Being outdoors, being active, that is what drives me, what motivates me. Two days after I turned 17, I bought my first racing bike.
Why road cycling? There are plenty of sports out there, with more fame and money to be earned than a cyclist in Germany, for sure. Yet I chose road cycling. I still haven't figured out myself why I went down that road. Now I realize I made the right decision, but what pushed me in that direction at the time, I wasn't sure. My father was a big Rudy Altig fan, maybe that's it?
So at the age of 17, I started training. I was more determined than ever, I was going to become a professional cyclist. School work suffered, but I persisted. I literally spend hours a day on the bike. It wasn't long until I discovered the perfect training mountain around: Feldberg. From my house to the top was about 46 km and 1500 height meters.
Very soon I became extremely passionated by the sport, and today I couldn't live without it. I wanted to race competitively as soon as possible. Germany is not very wild about cycling, so there was little for me to do around. With a little help from my dad, I found my way to Colmar, just over the border, in France. There were races there regularly. I used to ride my bike there, do the race and ride back. That's 50 km, a 70 - 80 km race and 50 km back, a decent training ride at that age.
For two years I trained, as hard as I could. I adjusted my food, my way of life. When I was 19, an opportunity arose. Cofidis, the ProContinental Team, had scouted me in one of the Colmar races and asked me to come in for tests. I did that. The disappointment was heavy when that letter came two weeks later. I wasn't good enough.
I was heartbroken. Then suddenly I turned 20. My parents started pushing me to go to college, instead of trying to realize that distant dream of becoming a professional cyclist. I was just about to give up on it, when everything changed...
Only a few months ago, another team contacted me. They had seen me in several races and they thought I had some real potential. It took me all the courage I had to go in for tests once again. Not even 5 days later, there was an email in my inbox. An email that would change my life, but more about that later!
Respectfully yours,
Christian Reinhard Schultze
Edited by Ian Butler on 07-02-2015 20:46
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| trekbmc |
Posted on 20-01-2015 20:49
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Team Leader
Posts: 7366
Joined: 11-07-2014
PCM$: 700.00
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I thought we had just less than 44 years left before anoth... wait no it looks good so I won't mention that. 
Edited by trekbmc on 20-01-2015 23:27
"What done is, is one." - Benji Naesen
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| Dippofix |
Posted on 20-01-2015 20:49
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3904
Joined: 29-01-2013
PCM$: 300.00
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Rejoiceth, for he has come again! 
Also, agreed, Freiburg is really nice (have you ever been yourself?), and the Feldberg is rather nice for skiing besides cycling. 
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| Shonak |
Posted on 20-01-2015 21:48
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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Very nice introduction.
This thread is sorta the least unsurprising surprise I've ever experienced although it really always sounded like a possible story was far, far away in the future, it still seemed just around the corner.
Good luck!
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 20-01-2015 22:16
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Nice to see you back in the story section mate and from what i have read up to now it looks like your going to have another Classic |
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 20-01-2015 22:23
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7651
Joined: 28-05-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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Oh here we go! I'm calling it now - PCM.Daily 2015 One-Rider Story of the Year!
Great introduction. You know I will follow
.: Manager of :.
.: My Awards :.
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| trekbmc |
Posted on 20-01-2015 22:25
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Team Leader
Posts: 7366
Joined: 11-07-2014
PCM$: 700.00
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the_hoyle wrote:
Oh here we go! I'm calling it now - PCM.Daily 2015 One-Rider Story of the Year!
Great introduction. You know I will follow
You won't get much of return on that bet...
"What done is, is one." - Benji Naesen
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 22-11-2024 17:41
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Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
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| Dippofix |
Posted on 20-01-2015 22:32
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3904
Joined: 29-01-2013
PCM$: 300.00
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the_hoyle wrote:
Oh here we go! I'm calling it now - PCM.Daily 2015 One-Rider Story of the Year!
Great introduction. You know I will follow
After the farce that was nominating modern times ahead of Henry Vergnaud, you never know.  
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 20-01-2015 23:15
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World Champion
Posts: 11392
Joined: 17-12-2014
PCM$: 1020.00
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Ian has another story! Oh Hell Yeah! Words cannot explain my excitement!
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant."
[ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT]  Xero Racing
5x  x5
2x  x2
2x  x2 |
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| Roextro |
Posted on 20-01-2015 23:16
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2370
Joined: 24-01-2014
PCM$: 200.00
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Awesome introduction Ian best of luck for the rest of your story |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 21-01-2015 09:22
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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trekbmc - Well, you know, that was the plan. But I couldn't live with that award without getting back in the game
Dippofix - I've never been, but I will one day, looks really awesome there. Though I'll probably go in the summer - not much of a skier!
Shonak - Thanks. I have been going back and forth myself about this. But now I've reached the July in my career and despite being busier than ever, I find some time to do the races, so I decided to go for it!
sutty68 - I sure hope so, I'll do my best. Cheers!
the_hoyle - Very happy to have you as a follower (that way you can warn me when the graphics are out of whack ), and let's get the story starting before we think about awards
Dippofix (2) - Exactly. I must say it came as a surprise to me, too. And it was exactly the same two years ago when I found out Double Feature wasn't nominated, but A Day was (which by then was only a month old or something). Oh well, that happens!
jandal7 - I hope I won't disappoint you, then!
jihardy - Thanks a lot. I'll do my best!
Unlike my previous stories, this one will move at a normal pace. I'm not that guy in high school anymore with 5 hours free a day, so I guess that's normal still, I'm already up to July in the career, so I have taken a good head start. That way I can ensure a decent pace to start with. Part II of the introduction will probably be for this evening, so stay tuned.
And thank you all for following, it means a lot to me.
NOTE: thanks a lot to the_hoyle for making the userbar!
Edited by Ian Butler on 21-01-2015 09:58
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| Forever the Best |
Posted on 21-01-2015 14:11
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3803
Joined: 27-06-2014
PCM$: 400.00
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Hmm...
Another legendary story?
The user formerly known as 'The Schleck Fan'
Gracias Alberto.
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 21-01-2015 17:21
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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The Schleck Fan - Well, that's the hope |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 21-01-2015 17:21
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Dear readers,
Today I will present to you the team that has signed me for my first year as a professional cyclist. In 2014, I will ride for the German based Team NetApp - Endura. You could imagine how I felt when I got the email saying I made the team for the next season. My test results must've been a whole lot better than last year's at Cofidis. It will be an honor to ride for the biggest German cycling team.
Team NetApp was founded in 2010. It started out as a modest team, but in 2012, Jan Barta took the team to greater heights. For the 2013 season, NetApp en Endura Racing merged to form Team NetApp - Endura. For next season, we hope to play an even bigger role on the international cycling scene.
Team NetApp - Endura is an active member of the MPCC, the movement for credible cycling. For me, this is very important. Cycling is not regarded as a respectable sport for most Germans. The word comes with a connotation of doping around it. We want to change that, we want to show Germany and the entire world that you can get results without resorting to doping.
So this will be my kit for the upcoming season. Like I said before, it's a real honor and a big chance to start my career at this team. I will work hard to make the sponsors and my team mates proud of me. It's an honor to wear this jersey, that's my philosophy for this year. "Give it everything you got, always."
Leaders
 Leopold König impressed friend and foe in last year's Vuelta, where he took the victory in stage 8. He was born in the Czech Republic, like Zdenek Stybar and Roman Kreuziger. He will be focusing his season on riding the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a España.
Jan Barta lifted this team to a higher level. He, too, is from the Czech Republic. His strength lays mainly in time trials, but on the road he impresses, too. In the hills, he is always a candidate for the podium.
 Sam Bennett will be our sprinter for this season. He is yet to turn 24 but already he has showed us his speed on multiple occasions. We can expect a few victories from him this year. He is new on the team, as I am.
Sprinters  Scott Thwaites  Daniel Schorn  Blaz Jarc
Punchers  Bartosz Huzarski  Tiago Machado  Paul Voss
Domestiques Michael Swarzmann Andreas Schillinger Jonathon McEnvoy  Zakkari Dempster Christian Schultze  Cesare Benedetti  David de la Cruz Frantisek Padour Iker Camaño Erick Roswell José Mendes Ralf Matzka
Only a week ago, I went in to sign my contract. I still couldn't believe it until the ink was dry. But then suddenly it was finalized. Three days later, I got my badge in the mail, along with a list of contacts; doctors, physiotherapists, personal coaches... There was also a letter from the Directeur Sportive, with some general information.
Alwin Dreher will be my trainer for 2014. Hopefully, he will take me to new heights. I will meet him for the first time tomorrow. My kit and team bike should arrive somewhere next week. It'll feel strange to trade in my old bike for a new one, but I guess I should get used to it for the coming season. It'll grow on me, I'm sure.
With November approaching, I'll have to start training for next season, my first. I can't wait to go along on the first training camp with all of the team mates in December. I hope they don't drop me after 10 km. Best start training, harder than ever.
Respectfully yours,
Christian Reinhard Schultze |
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 21-01-2015 17:29
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Christian should fit in really well at Team NetApp - Endura as they have some nice riders here whom he could learn a lot from |
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 21-01-2015 17:37
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7651
Joined: 28-05-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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Great team choice
.: Manager of :.
.: My Awards :.
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 21-01-2015 17:49
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Liking the ID card by the way, nice idea |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 21-01-2015 22:43
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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sutty68 - Thanks! Yeah, lots of experience on the team to learn from glad you like the ID card!
the_hoyle - Let's hope he fits in with the team well. It's an interesting team to play with, to say the least
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 22-01-2015 04:43
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World Champion
Posts: 11392
Joined: 17-12-2014
PCM$: 1020.00
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Nice idea to go with NetApp, looks like we're on for an interesting ride.
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant."
[ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
5x x5
2x x2
2x x2 |
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 22-01-2015 08:39
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9099
Joined: 13-03-2013
PCM$: 2100.00
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Seems like this will be really worth it to follow :)
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