Yesterday was an amazing day for me! I was psyched when my new gear arrived in the morning. Five jerseys, ten water bottles, two helmets, a pair of sunglasses, plenty of gloves, even shoes in the right size and whatnot. Last but not least, two very beautiful, brand new Fuji bikes. After staring at it for about half an hour, I decided to take one of my new bikes right out!
There are many advantages to living next to the Black Forest. I got into my new gear, put my bike in the car and drove to a nice, secluded place in the forest. Time for a first training ride in my new kit!
In the last few years, I have discovered quite some interesting roads in the area. This is one of my absolute favorites, and I think I went 5 kph faster today than usual. Mainly because of the adrenaline, but also because the bike is ultra light!
I decided to complete about four laps, which would come down to a training ride of 165 kilometers, give or take. Not a bad day's ride for an improvised training.
The bike immediately felt good. I had to get used to it the first ten minutes or so, but as soon as I started up the hill, it was an amazing feeling. I felt safe going downhill and easily beat my personal best time on this lap.
It's only too bad the real winter is approaching. It's unusually warm for the time of year, with temperatures of 16 degrees, but next week they're expected to drop.
I wouldn't want to spend my first months with this new bike inside, so I booked a hotel on Mallorca. I'll be able to train better there!
2014 schedule
I've had my first meeting with the Directeur Sportive earlier today. He's a friendly guy and gave me a lot of pointers to work on for the next few months. He told me he sees a lot of potential in me. Because I only started racing at the age of 17, I still have a lot to learn and much to grow. I'm still young, only 21, so I have the time to develop and learn the trade.
I asked about my schedule of my first season. First he laughed, saying I wasn't Contador or Quintana, and that we weren't Movistar or Omega Pharma. We'll have to wait for wildcards and whatnot. It's impossible to pinpoint my exact season. But he gave me a few guidelines for my season.
I'll probably be starting my season in Tour Méditerranéen, Southern France. It'll be my first race as a professional cyclist. He won't give me too much race days in the first part of the season, so I can train a lot and progress, instead of burning myself up. Through some one day races I should be ready for Critérium International, though. I'll be supporting either Machado or König, if all things go as planned.
Later in the season, I am probably expected to ride the German races like Köln, Frankfurt and, of course, Bayern Rundfarht. It'll be exciting to race in my home country in this kit for the first time.
I will be particularly interested in racing the National Road Race, where the terrain is constantly up and down. I hope to put in a great race there in support of Paul Voss, who has a shot at the jersey on this profile. Degenkolb will probably be the top favorite, though.
After this, there is no predicting where the management will send me. They will evaluate my season after the Road Race and adjust the schedule of the rest of the season according to my development. It would be great to make the selection for the Vuelta a España, but that's looking too far ahead.
As a domestique, I don't need to peak towards a single race, so I'll just concentrate on keeping a certain level throughout the entire season and help the team wherever they need me.
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
trekbmc - Of course that's only a part of the season, but he can keep those races in mind for his build up
sutty68 - I hope so, too! If he performs well, it could be possible especially since we're going for a wildcard in both the Giro and the Vuelta, so he might make the selection for the latter.
HuDCC - Thank you. I hope you enjoy the story, I know I will making it
Okay first part of my internship is sort of over. Though the next one starts Monday and I've a lot of preparing to do. Still, I have three days, so I hope to post a few 'blogs' over the next few days and really get the story starting. Probably this evening with the last(?) introduction and hopefully tomorrow with the first race!
Happy New Year, to start with! I celebrated my first holidays as a professional cyclist as expected of me. There was no alcohol and I was in bed on time. That comes with the job, but I don't mind. I'm not much of a partier anyway.
Much has happened since my latest post. I've gone on the training camp of Team NetApp - Endura and met all the lads. I have to say, it's an amazing bunch. The atmosphere was really great. Nobody looked down on me or something, because I'm a new guy in the sport and in the team. In fact, most of the guys were really helpful.
Besides the team building activities, there were also the training rides, of course! We were given a lot of freedom, though. There are some riders who just went out and we'd see them again at dinner. On the advice of my trainer, I went with the group, to do some more long distance training, build up the stamina I'll need in the pro peloton.
I had a real great time. At first I missed my mother, of course, I've lived with the woman for 21 years now. But I had gone on longer trips before so it wasn't a big problem.
I learned more than I could ever process in those few days we had at the training camp. I probably forgot half of it already but still, I came back a much wiser man, wiser about the sport I'm about to embark in.
Jan Barta is a real animal lover. He was constantly pointing out beautiful animals he'd see. It's a small miracle he stayed on his bike all through the training camp. He was looking next to him more often than in front of him!
For me, the uphill was an important test. On the flat, you work together and you can hide in someone's wheel. Uphill we would all find out own pace. I was a bit afraid that everyone would think I was a fraud when I dropped immediately. A bit nervous, you could say...
Jan Barta, to my surprise, was the first to let the group go. But I could see it was not because he had to. No, he had other plans for his training, going full throttle uphill wasn't part of his plan of the day. I tried to hang on, but some of these guys were too good for me. König, Machado, Mendes... those guys can climb really well!
Anyway, the trainer told me I did good. He showed me the numbers from my stem and they were positive. In these last few months I've grown a lot. I feel I'm slowly getting ready for my first professional race.
Tour Méditerranéen
So it has been confirmed, Tour Med will be my first race. I will work for José Mendes there. Though the team is very curious to see my abilites in the attack. They've made it clear they expect a fighting role from me this season. A role I'm more happy to fulfill. I've never raced in a big peloton before, so any chance to get into a 5-man group instead of a 150-men peloton I'll take. Though I'll have to learn...
The team management has asked me to fill in a small form, mostly questions about what I want to learn this year, what my ambitions are and whatnot. To be honest, I wasn't sure what to write down. I said I really want to ride my first World Tour race and generally perform well in the races I'm selected for. What I forgot to write down is that I want to share in many team successes. I'm an honest man, and I have no problems working my fingers to the bone for someone above me. I'll work hard, all right. They can count on me.
Anyway, I'm really psyched about the race. One more month and it'll be there. So I'm signing off for now. I guess I'll see you in a month or so. Watch out for me, hopefully at the head of the race!
Dippofix - Thanks, man, really appreciate it. I'm always trying to improve my writing. I hope I can become even better.
First race coming up! I'm not entirely happy about the way of reporting just yet. I think I'll experiment with it over the next few races, depends on the reactions, too, of course.
Well, the time has come. At times it's still hard for me to grasp, but I'm part of the professional peloton now. Because it went so fast, it hardly seems real. Tour Méditerranéen was always a race I looked forward to, because it's one of the very first European races of the season. Suddenly, it's me who's riding here. That's insane...
Preview
Profile: We'll be starting with a fairly flat route. Not that I'd want anything else. For my first race, this is just perfect. Today is a first real test for me, too, since I've never raced over 200 kilometers yet.
Behind the Scenes: For the first time in my life, I was part of the tactical meeting before a race. We arrived on the bus and then the meeting started. The DS explained everyone's roles and the general plan of the day. Thwaites was the man of the day, with his sprint speed. Then, finally, he turned to me. "Chris, just enjoy the ride today. Good luck team, go get them." And that was it. No orders for me today.
The Race
If I had any hope the peloton would take it easy today, it was gone fairly soon. After the flag went down, it rained attacks. The pace went up to over 40 kph and we all felt it. I felt like they threw me in a lion pit immediately. But I would adjust, I had to. I'm a survivor.
The pace dropped after half an hour and the breakaway was gone. We took it easy for a while, but crossing the 150 km mark, the pace went up again. Thwaites got surprised and was way at the back of the peloton. He asked me to bring him to the front in my slipstream.
It was incredibly tough but I managed to bring him to the front. I saw the peloton was really rushing forward. I guessed the breakaway must've still been up the road.
Yannis Yssaad from Bigmat had managed to outsmart the peloton. He wasn't caught in time and he took the victory.
André Greipel ended up winning the bunch sprint, but it was for the last remaining podium spot, nothing more. I finished in the middle of the peloton, 66th, very happy with my first day.
Scott Thwaites finished 22nd. He was a bit disappointed afterwards.
Result - Stage 1
1
Yannis Yssaad
BigMat - Auber 93
4h35'09
2
Thomas Vaubourzeix
Team La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
3
André Greipel
Lotto Belisol
+ 49
4
Daniele Bennati
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
5
Kristjan Koren
Cannondale
s.t.
6
Giovanni Visconti
Movistar Team
s.t.
7
Simon Spilak
Team Katusha
s.t.
8
Alexandr Kolobnev
Team Katusha
s.t.
9
Eduard Vorganov
Team Katusha
s.t.
10
Danilo Wyss
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
(...)
66
Christian Schultze
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Moreno Hofland
Belkin-Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
12
Stephen Cummings
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
13
Paolo Longo Borghini
Cannondale
s.t.
14
Tony Gallopin
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
15
Roman Kreuziger
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
16
Jürgen Roelandts
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
17
Maxime Daniel
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
18
Lars Ytting Bak
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
19
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
20
Jonathan Castroviejo
Movistar Team
s.t.
21
Adam Hansen
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
22
Scott Thwaites
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
23
Daniel Schorn
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
24
Joaquím Rodríguez
Team Katusha
s.t.
25
Michael Kolar
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
26
Dries Devenyns
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
27
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
28
Cédric Pineau
FDJ.fr
s.t.
29
Jonathan Hivert
Belkin-Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
30
Gustav Erik Larsson
IAM Cycling
s.t.
31
Christophe Laborie
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
32
Eduardo Sepulveda
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
33
Alexandre Geniez
FDJ.fr
s.t.
34
Mickaël Delage
FDJ.fr
s.t.
35
Matthias Frank
IAM Cycling
s.t.
36
Oliver Zaugg
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
37
Sergey Chernetskiy
Team Katusha
s.t.
38
Arnaud Gérard
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
39
Florian Vachon
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
40
Gatis Smukulis
Team Katusha
s.t.
41
Reinardt Janse van Rensburg
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
42
Klaas Lodewyck
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
43
Ramon Sinkeldam
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
44
Jérémy Bescond
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
45
Tejay Van Garderen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
46
Murilo Fischer
FDJ.fr
s.t.
47
Daniele Aldegheri
MG.Kvis - Trevigiani
s.t.
48
Warren Barguil
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
49
Dan Craven
Team Europcar
s.t.
50
Pablo Lastras
Movistar Team
s.t.
51
Daniele Ratto
Cannondale
s.t.
52
Sébastien Reichenbach
IAM Cycling
s.t.
53
Samuel Dumoulin
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
54
Chris Anker Sørensen
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
55
Marco Coledan
Bardiani CSF
s.t.
56
Nicki Sørensen
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
57
Calvin Watson
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
58
Cyril Gautier
Team Europcar
s.t.
59
Maarten Wynants
Belkin-Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
60
Kevin Reza
Team Europcar
s.t.
61
Greg Henderson
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
62
Filippo Fortin
Bardiani CSF
s.t.
63
Sonny Colbrelli
Bardiani CSF
s.t.
64
Sylwester Szmyd
Movistar Team
s.t.
65
Stef Clement
Belkin-Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
66
Christian Schultze
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
67
Bryan Nauleau
Team Europcar
s.t.
68
Gert Dockx
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
69
Alexandre Pichot
Team Europcar
s.t.
70
Yohann Gène
Team Europcar
s.t.
71
Jonas Ahlstrand
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
72
Anthony Geslin
FDJ.fr
s.t.
73
Riccardo Zoidl
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
74
Marcel Aregger
IAM Cycling
s.t.
75
Stefano Pirazzi
Bardiani CSF
s.t.
76
Jack Bobridge
Belkin-Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
77
Dayer Quintana
Movistar Team
s.t.
78
Gorka Izagirre
Movistar Team
s.t.
79
Mathieu Sprick
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
80
Dennis van Winden
Belkin-Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
81
Jos van Emden
Belkin-Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
82
Julien Bérard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
83
Martin Kohler
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
84
George Preidler
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
85
Hubert Dupont
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
86
Ángel Vicioso
Team Katusha
s.t.
87
Jonathon McEvoy
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
88
Rick Flens
Belkin-Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
89
José Mendes
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
90
Matteo Tosatto
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
91
Eugenio Alafaci
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
92
Fränk Schleck
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
93
Donato de Ieso
Bardiani CSF
s.t.
94
Julian Arredondo
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
95
Armindo Fonseca
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
96
Steve Chainel
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
97
Kenny Elissonde
FDJ.fr
s.t.
98
Pierrick Fédrigo
FDJ.fr
s.t.
99
Zakkari Dempster
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
100
Guillaume Bonnafond
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
101
Amaël Moinard
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
102
Blaz Jarc
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
103
Adrien Petit
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
104
Aleksejs Saramotins
IAM Cycling
s.t.
105
Jérôme Pineau
IAM Cycling
s.t.
106
Edward King
Cannondale
s.t.
107
Fabio Felline
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
108
Florian Guillou
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
109
Mikhail Ignatiev
Team Katusha
s.t.
110
Matej Mohorič
Cannondale
s.t.
111
Romain Sicard
Team Europcar
s.t.
112
Frantisek Padour
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
113
José Gonçalves
Team La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
114
Luke Roberts
Team Stölting
s.t.
115
Alan Marangoni
Cannondale
s.t.
116
Karsten Kroon
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
117
John Gadret
Movistar Team
s.t.
118
Gaetan Bille
Vérandas Willems
s.t.
119
Jurgen Van Den Broeck
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
120
Kiel Reijnen
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
121
Jean-Marc Bideau
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
122
Justin Jules
Team La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
123
Peter Stetina
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
124
Thierry Hupond
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
125
Willem Wauters
Vérandas Willems
s.t.
126
Stéphane Poulhiès
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
127
Olivier Pardini
Vérandas Willems
s.t.
128
Edwig Cammaerts
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
129
Blel Kadri
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
130
Maximilian Werda
Team Stölting
s.t.
131
Louis Verhelst
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
132
Angelo Pagani
Bardiani CSF
s.t.
133
Frederik Dombrowski
Team Stölting
s.t.
134
Julien El Fares
Team La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
135
Cyril Lemoine
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
136
Alo Jakin
BigMat - Auber 93
s.t.
137
Jean-Lou Paiani
Roubaix Lille Métropole
s.t.
138
Karel Hník
Etixx
s.t.
139
Flavien Dassonville
BigMat - Auber 93
s.t.
140
Markus Hoelgaard
Etixx
s.t.
141
Łukasz Wisniowski
Etixx
s.t.
142
Andrea Manfredi
Bardiani CSF
s.t.
143
Michel Koch
Cannondale
s.t.
144
Kristof Vandewalle
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
145
Jimmy Turgis
Roubaix Lille Métropole
s.t.
146
Steven Tronet
BigMat - Auber 93
s.t.
147
Luke Keough
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
148
Jelle Mannaerts
Vérandas Willems
s.t.
149
Carlos Alzate
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
150
Daniel Hoelgaard
Etixx
s.t.
151
Evaldas Siskevicius
Team La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
152
Luca Chirico
MG.Kvis - Trevigiani
s.t.
153
Christophe Laporte
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
154
Théo Vimpere
BigMat - Auber 93
s.t.
155
Nils Politt
Team Stölting
s.t.
156
Rémy di Gregorio
Team La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
157
Samuel Spokes
Etixx
s.t.
158
Fumiyuki Beppu
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
159
Jonathan Fumeaux
IAM Cycling
s.t.
160
Martijn Maaskant
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
161
Daniel Summerhill
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
162
Julien Duval
Roubaix Lille Métropole
s.t.
163
Jan Dieteren
Team Stölting
s.t.
164
Walt de Winter
Vérandas Willems
s.t.
165
Domingos Gonçalves
Team La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
166
Mirco Saggiorato
Team Stölting
s.t.
167
Ken Hanson
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
168
Lucas Euser
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
169
John Murphy
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
170
Franck Vermeulen
Roubaix Lille Métropole
s.t.
171
Thomas Rostollan
Team La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
172
Romain Pillon
Roubaix Lille Métropole
s.t.
173
Rudy Barbier
Roubaix Lille Métropole
s.t.
174
Michael Goolaerts
Vérandas Willems
s.t.
175
Lorenzo di Remigio
MG.Kvis - Trevigiani
s.t.
176
Markus Eichler
Team Stölting
s.t.
177
Cristian Delle Stelle
MG.Kvis - Trevigiani
s.t.
178
Jérémy Burton
Vérandas Willems
s.t.
179
Patrick Schelling
IAM Cycling
s.t.
180
Andrei Nechita
MG.Kvis - Trevigiani
s.t.
181
George Bennett
Cannondale
s.t.
182
Dimitri Le Boulch
BigMat - Auber 93
s.t.
183
Brice Feillu
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
184
Yohan Offredo
FDJ.fr
+ 5'28
185
Julien Simon
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
186
Imanol Erviti
Movistar Team
s.t.
187
Davide Malacarne
Team Europcar
+ 6'54
188
Mattia Frapporti
MG.Kvis - Trevigiani
s.t.
189
Christian Mager
Team Stölting
s.t.
190
Paolo Colonna
Bardiani CSF
s.t.
191
Gianluca Vecchio
MG.Kvis - Trevigiani
s.t.
192
Riccardo Donato
MG.Kvis - Trevigiani
+ 9'41
193
Tim Kerkhof
Etixx
+ 11'52
194
Thomas de Troch
Vérandas Willems
+ 15'58
Analysis
I'm very pleased with today's race. I made my professional debut and already did some work for the team. Only too bad it didn't lead to any noteworthy result. Tomorrow we want to do better!
Respectfully yours,
Christian Reinhard Schultze.
Edited by Ian Butler on 01-02-2015 17:38
The reporting style is nice, I like the behind th he scenes bit and of course your races are great.
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
Time for stage 2 here in France. After a flying start yesterday, I was keen to get back in the saddle and bash it out a bit more. Now this is working for your money.
Preview
Profile: The stage ends on a flat finish, but the road there is a bit more complicated. Three categorised climbs but they shouldn't pose a problem to the sprinters. It's almost 40 km shorter than yesterday's ride, too.
Behind the Scenes: I was the first rider down of the team, so I waited a bit at the breakfast table. Soon Jonathon (McEnvoy) came down and we had a nice chat. Once everyone was down, George (our DS here) started talking business. Scott was feeling better than yesterday and thought he could sprint for at least a top 10 place. It was our job to make it as easy as possible for him and deliver him 1 km from the finish.
"Chris, try and get in the breakaway, if you can. If you don't, I want you to stay with José (Mendes) all day. Protect him, but also keep your eyes open. Learn from him."
The Race
The flag went down and the pace was much lower than yesterday. I guess yesterday was the first race of the season for many and now the stress is gone, or at least partly. Following team orders, I attacked.
What went through my mind at that moment, I couldn't tell you. All I know is what I felt, it was amazing. What a rush!
We got a small group together and tried to pull away from the peloton.
But too many riders made the jump and the peloton hunted us down immediately. We were considered too dangerous to let ride.
In the end, I only spend about 10 kilometers at the front today, but words can't describe how they felt. I want more of this. We got caught and I sat up, trying to find José.
With 50 kilometers to go, we regrouped with the entire team to follow up on the plan of the day. José nestled himself in my wheel and I was to lead him safely to the finish. Meanwhile the rest of the team would bring Scott Thwaites to the front slowly so he could contest in the sprint.
The Gorilla, André Greipel must've been driven by revenge after missing out on the win yesterday. He came, saw and conquered. Scott sprinted to a 12th place, which is better than yesterday's result, but still not what he was aiming for.
I brought in José safely and concluded my race. I felt bad for missing the break but George said not to worry about it. I'll get another chance.
Result - Stage 2
1
André Greipel
Lotto Belisol
4h00'35
2
Moreno Hofland
Belkin-Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
3
Florian Vachon
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
4
Tony Gallopin
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
5
Daniele Bennati
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
6
Jürgen Roelandts
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
7
Jonathan Hivert
Belkin-Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
8
Ángel Vicioso
Team Katusha
s.t.
9
Armindo Fonseca
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
10
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
(...)
49
Christian Schultze
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Daniele Ratto
Cannondale
s.t.
12
Scott Thwaites
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
13
Sonny Colbrelli
Bardiani CSF
s.t.
14
Blaz Jarc
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
15
Mickaël Delage
FDJ.fr
s.t.
16
Nicki Sørensen
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
17
Thomas Vaubourzeix
Team La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
18
Adam Hansen
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
19
Giovanni Visconti
Movistar Team
s.t.
20
Eduard Vorganov
Team Katusha
s.t.
21
Stephen Cummings
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
22
Eduardo Sepulveda
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
23
Simon Spilak
Team Katusha
s.t.
24
Jonathan Castroviejo
Movistar Team
s.t.
25
Chris Anker Sørensen
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
26
Kristjan Koren
Cannondale
s.t.
27
Joaquím Rodríguez
Team Katusha
s.t.
28
Sergey Chernetskiy
Team Katusha
s.t.
29
Arnaud Gérard
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
30
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
31
Roman Kreuziger
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
32
Gorka Izagirre
Movistar Team
s.t.
33
Tejay Van Garderen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
34
Cyril Gautier
Team Europcar
s.t.
35
Jonathon McEvoy
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
36
Flavien Dassonville
BigMat - Auber 93
s.t.
37
Dries Devenyns
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
38
Alexandre Geniez
FDJ.fr
s.t.
39
Ramon Sinkeldam
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
40
Aleksejs Saramotins
IAM Cycling
s.t.
41
Julien Bérard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
42
Yannis Yssaad
BigMat - Auber 93
s.t.
43
Julian Arredondo
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
44
Dennis van Winden
Belkin-Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
45
José Mendes
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
46
Reinardt Janse van Rensburg
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
47
Riccardo Zoidl
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
48
Jurgen Van Den Broeck
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
49
Christian Schultze
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
50
Pierrick Fédrigo
FDJ.fr
s.t.
51
Matthias Frank
IAM Cycling
s.t.
52
John Gadret
Movistar Team
s.t.
53
Paolo Longo Borghini
Cannondale
s.t.
54
Eugenio Alafaci
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
55
Pablo Lastras
Movistar Team
s.t.
56
Fränk Schleck
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
57
Danilo Wyss
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
58
Jack Bobridge
Belkin-Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
59
José Gonçalves
Team La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
60
Stef Clement
Belkin-Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
61
Peter Stetina
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
62
Jean-Marc Bideau
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
63
Mathieu Sprick
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
64
Maxime Daniel
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
65
Gatis Smukulis
Team Katusha
s.t.
66
Lars Ytting Bak
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
67
Kenny Elissonde
FDJ.fr
s.t.
68
Rémy di Gregorio
Team La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
69
Sébastien Reichenbach
IAM Cycling
s.t.
70
Florian Guillou
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
71
Guillaume Bonnafond
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
72
Cédric Pineau
FDJ.fr
s.t.
73
Jérôme Pineau
IAM Cycling
s.t.
74
Hubert Dupont
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
75
Zakkari Dempster
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
76
Sylwester Szmyd
Movistar Team
s.t.
77
Klaas Lodewyck
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
78
Gustav Erik Larsson
IAM Cycling
s.t.
79
Julien El Fares
Team La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
80
Samuel Dumoulin
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
81
Warren Barguil
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
82
Murilo Fischer
FDJ.fr
s.t.
83
Kevin Reza
Team Europcar
s.t.
84
Greg Henderson
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
85
Ken Hanson
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
86
Oliver Zaugg
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
87
Anthony Geslin
FDJ.fr
s.t.
88
Yohann Gène
Team Europcar
s.t.
89
Alexandr Kolobnev
Team Katusha
s.t.
90
Matej Mohorič
Cannondale
s.t.
91
Maarten Wynants
Belkin-Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
92
Amaël Moinard
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
93
Kiel Reijnen
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
94
Frantisek Padour
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
95
Michael Kolar
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
96
Evaldas Siskevicius
Team La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
97
Steve Chainel
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
98
Dan Craven
Team Europcar
s.t.
99
Adrien Petit
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
100
Calvin Watson
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
101
Brice Feillu
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
102
Karsten Kroon
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
103
Justin Jules
Team La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
104
Patrick Schelling
IAM Cycling
s.t.
105
Matteo Tosatto
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
106
Romain Sicard
Team Europcar
s.t.
107
Yohan Offredo
FDJ.fr
s.t.
108
Stefano Pirazzi
Bardiani CSF
s.t.
109
Willem Wauters
Vérandas Willems
s.t.
110
Cyril Lemoine
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
111
Gaetan Bille
Vérandas Willems
s.t.
112
Christophe Laborie
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
113
Mikhail Ignatiev
Team Katusha
s.t.
114
Michel Koch
Cannondale
s.t.
115
Marco Coledan
Bardiani CSF
s.t.
116
Karel Hník
Etixx
s.t.
117
Alexandre Pichot
Team Europcar
s.t.
118
Jonas Ahlstrand
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
119
Luke Roberts
Team Stölting
s.t.
120
Edwig Cammaerts
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
121
Fabio Felline
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
122
Fumiyuki Beppu
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
123
Alan Marangoni
Cannondale
s.t.
124
Thierry Hupond
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
125
Domingos Gonçalves
Team La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
126
Edward King
Cannondale
s.t.
127
Rick Flens
Belkin-Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
128
Kristof Vandewalle
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
129
Martin Kohler
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
130
Blel Kadri
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
131
Gert Dockx
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
132
Dayer Quintana
Movistar Team
s.t.
133
Donato de Ieso
Bardiani CSF
s.t.
134
Luca Chirico
MG.Kvis - Trevigiani
s.t.
135
Jos van Emden
Belkin-Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
136
Olivier Pardini
Vérandas Willems
+ 2'51
137
Steven Tronet
BigMat - Auber 93
s.t.
138
Davide Malacarne
Team Europcar
s.t.
139
Bryan Nauleau
Team Europcar
s.t.
140
Stéphane Poulhiès
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
141
Samuel Spokes
Etixx
s.t.
142
Alo Jakin
BigMat - Auber 93
s.t.
143
Jean-Lou Paiani
Roubaix Lille Métropole
s.t.
144
Théo Vimpere
BigMat - Auber 93
s.t.
145
George Preidler
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
146
Thomas Rostollan
Team La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
147
Nils Politt
Team Stölting
s.t.
148
George Bennett
Cannondale
s.t.
149
Angelo Pagani
Bardiani CSF
s.t.
150
Lucas Euser
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
+ 4'23
151
Cristian Delle Stelle
MG.Kvis - Trevigiani
s.t.
152
Dimitri Le Boulch
BigMat - Auber 93
s.t.
153
Marcel Aregger
IAM Cycling
s.t.
154
Jonathan Fumeaux
IAM Cycling
s.t.
155
Mirco Saggiorato
Team Stölting
+ 5'02
156
Łukasz Wisniowski
Etixx
s.t.
157
Martijn Maaskant
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
158
Maximilian Werda
Team Stölting
s.t.
159
Filippo Fortin
Bardiani CSF
s.t.
160
Franck Vermeulen
Roubaix Lille Métropole
s.t.
161
Jelle Mannaerts
Vérandas Willems
+ 5'58
162
Julien Simon
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
163
Louis Verhelst
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
164
Walt de Winter
Vérandas Willems
s.t.
165
Markus Eichler
Team Stölting
s.t.
166
Daniel Schorn
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
167
Jimmy Turgis
Roubaix Lille Métropole
s.t.
168
Andrei Nechita
MG.Kvis - Trevigiani
s.t.
169
Andrea Manfredi
Bardiani CSF
s.t.
170
Julien Duval
Roubaix Lille Métropole
+ 7'24
171
Paolo Colonna
Bardiani CSF
s.t.
172
Jan Dieteren
Team Stölting
s.t.
173
Riccardo Donato
MG.Kvis - Trevigiani
s.t.
174
Lorenzo di Remigio
MG.Kvis - Trevigiani
s.t.
175
Michael Goolaerts
Vérandas Willems
s.t.
176
Rudy Barbier
Roubaix Lille Métropole
s.t.
177
Tim Kerkhof
Etixx
s.t.
178
Gianluca Vecchio
MG.Kvis - Trevigiani
s.t.
179
Daniel Hoelgaard
Etixx
s.t.
180
Christophe Laporte
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
181
John Murphy
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
182
Jérémy Bescond
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
183
Carlos Alzate
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
+ 8'25
184
Daniele Aldegheri
MG.Kvis - Trevigiani
s.t.
185
Daniel Summerhill
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
186
Luke Keough
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
187
Jérémy Burton
Vérandas Willems
s.t.
188
Markus Hoelgaard
Etixx
s.t.
189
Frederik Dombrowski
Team Stölting
s.t.
190
Mattia Frapporti
MG.Kvis - Trevigiani
+ 10'17
191
Christian Mager
Team Stölting
s.t.
192
Imanol Erviti
Movistar Team
+ 11'53
193
Romain Pillon
Roubaix Lille Métropole
+ 13'05
194
Thomas de Troch
Vérandas Willems
+ 16'25
General Classification
1
Yannis Yssaad
BigMat - Auber 93
8h35'20
2
Thomas Vaubourzeix
Team La Pomme Marseille
+ 6
3
André Greipel
Lotto Belisol
+ 45
4
Moreno Hofland
Belkin-Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'01
5
Florian Vachon
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
+ 1'05
6
Jérôme Pineau
IAM Cycling
+ 1'07
7
Luke Roberts
Team Stölting
+ 1'09
8
Alexandr Kolobnev
Team Katusha
+ 1'11
9
Daniele Bennati
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 1'13
10
Tony Gallopin
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
(...)
51
Christian Schultze
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Jürgen Roelandts
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
12
Giovanni Visconti
Movistar Team
s.t.
13
Eduard Vorganov
Team Katusha
s.t.
14
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
15
Simon Spilak
Team Katusha
s.t.
16
Kristjan Koren
Cannondale
s.t.
17
Stephen Cummings
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
18
Scott Thwaites
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
19
Jonathan Hivert
Belkin-Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
20
Adam Hansen
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
21
Jonathan Castroviejo
Movistar Team
s.t.
22
Roman Kreuziger
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
23
Mickaël Delage
FDJ.fr
s.t.
24
Joaquím Rodríguez
Team Katusha
s.t.
25
Eduardo Sepulveda
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
26
Christophe Riblon
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
27
Daniele Ratto
Cannondale
s.t.
28
Dries Devenyns
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
29
Sergey Chernetskiy
Team Katusha
s.t.
30
Paolo Longo Borghini
Cannondale
s.t.
31
Danilo Wyss
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
32
Arnaud Gérard
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
33
Alexandre Geniez
FDJ.fr
s.t.
34
Nicki Sørensen
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
35
Sonny Colbrelli
Bardiani CSF
s.t.
36
Tejay Van Garderen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
37
Chris Anker Sørensen
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
38
Maxime Daniel
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
39
Ramon Sinkeldam
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
40
Lars Ytting Bak
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
41
Matthias Frank
IAM Cycling
s.t.
42
Reinardt Janse van Rensburg
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
43
Cyril Gautier
Team Europcar
s.t.
44
Ángel Vicioso
Team Katusha
s.t.
45
Cédric Pineau
FDJ.fr
s.t.
46
Armindo Fonseca
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
47
Gatis Smukulis
Team Katusha
s.t.
48
Pablo Lastras
Movistar Team
s.t.
49
Gustav Erik Larsson
IAM Cycling
s.t.
50
Gorka Izagirre
Movistar Team
s.t.
51
Christian Schultze
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
52
Blaz Jarc
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
53
Klaas Lodewyck
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
54
Michael Kolar
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
55
Riccardo Zoidl
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
56
Sébastien Reichenbach
IAM Cycling
s.t.
57
Oliver Zaugg
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
58
Jonathon McEvoy
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
59
Julien Bérard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
60
Dennis van Winden
Belkin-Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
61
Stef Clement
Belkin-Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
62
Murilo Fischer
FDJ.fr
s.t.
63
Warren Barguil
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
64
Samuel Dumoulin
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
65
Jack Bobridge
Belkin-Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
66
José Mendes
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
67
Julian Arredondo
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
68
Sylwester Szmyd
Movistar Team
s.t.
69
Mathieu Sprick
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
70
Christophe Laborie
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
71
Kevin Reza
Team Europcar
s.t.
72
Aleksejs Saramotins
IAM Cycling
s.t.
73
Greg Henderson
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
74
Eugenio Alafaci
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
75
Dan Craven
Team Europcar
s.t.
76
Fränk Schleck
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
77
Pierrick Fédrigo
FDJ.fr
s.t.
78
Maarten Wynants
Belkin-Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
79
Calvin Watson
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
80
Yohann Gène
Team Europcar
s.t.
81
Anthony Geslin
FDJ.fr
s.t.
82
Hubert Dupont
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
83
Kenny Elissonde
FDJ.fr
s.t.
84
Jurgen Van Den Broeck
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
85
John Gadret
Movistar Team
s.t.
86
Marco Coledan
Bardiani CSF
s.t.
87
Guillaume Bonnafond
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
88
José Gonçalves
Team La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
89
Zakkari Dempster
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
90
Flavien Dassonville
BigMat - Auber 93
s.t.
91
Florian Guillou
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
92
Stefano Pirazzi
Bardiani CSF
s.t.
93
Jean-Marc Bideau
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
94
Peter Stetina
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
95
Alexandre Pichot
Team Europcar
s.t.
96
Jonas Ahlstrand
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
97
Steve Chainel
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
98
Amaël Moinard
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
99
Matteo Tosatto
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
100
Gert Dockx
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
101
Matej Mohorič
Cannondale
s.t.
102
Adrien Petit
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
103
Frantisek Padour
Team NetApp - Endura
s.t.
104
Dayer Quintana
Movistar Team
s.t.
105
Martin Kohler
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
106
Kiel Reijnen
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
107
Julien El Fares
Team La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
108
Rick Flens
Belkin-Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
109
Jos van Emden
Belkin-Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
110
Romain Sicard
Team Europcar
s.t.
111
Karsten Kroon
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
112
Mikhail Ignatiev
Team Katusha
s.t.
113
Rémy di Gregorio
Team La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
114
Justin Jules
Team La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
115
Donato de Ieso
Bardiani CSF
s.t.
116
Fabio Felline
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
117
Gaetan Bille
Vérandas Willems
s.t.
118
Edward King
Cannondale
s.t.
119
Willem Wauters
Vérandas Willems
s.t.
120
Alan Marangoni
Cannondale
s.t.
121
Cyril Lemoine
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
122
Evaldas Siskevicius
Team La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
123
Thierry Hupond
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
124
Edwig Cammaerts
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
125
Ken Hanson
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
126
Karel Hník
Etixx
s.t.
127
Michel Koch
Cannondale
s.t.
128
Blel Kadri
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
129
Kristof Vandewalle
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
130
Fumiyuki Beppu
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
131
Patrick Schelling
IAM Cycling
s.t.
132
Brice Feillu
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
133
Luca Chirico
MG.Kvis - Trevigiani
s.t.
134
Domingos Gonçalves
Team La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
135
Bryan Nauleau
Team Europcar
+ 4'04
136
George Preidler
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
137
Olivier Pardini
Vérandas Willems
s.t.
138
Stéphane Poulhiès
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
139
Alo Jakin
BigMat - Auber 93
s.t.
140
Jean-Lou Paiani
Roubaix Lille Métropole
s.t.
141
Angelo Pagani
Bardiani CSF
s.t.
142
Steven Tronet
BigMat - Auber 93
s.t.
143
Théo Vimpere
BigMat - Auber 93
s.t.
144
Samuel Spokes
Etixx
s.t.
145
Nils Politt
Team Stölting
s.t.
146
Thomas Rostollan
Team La Pomme Marseille
s.t.
147
George Bennett
Cannondale
s.t.
148
Marcel Aregger
IAM Cycling
+ 5'36
149
Jonathan Fumeaux
IAM Cycling
s.t.
150
Lucas Euser
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
151
Cristian Delle Stelle
MG.Kvis - Trevigiani
s.t.
152
Dimitri Le Boulch
BigMat - Auber 93
s.t.
153
Yohan Offredo
FDJ.fr
+ 5'52
154
Filippo Fortin
Bardiani CSF
+ 6'15
155
Maximilian Werda
Team Stölting
s.t.
156
Łukasz Wisniowski
Etixx
s.t.
157
Martijn Maaskant
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
158
Mirco Saggiorato
Team Stölting
s.t.
159
Franck Vermeulen
Roubaix Lille Métropole
s.t.
160
Daniel Schorn
Team NetApp - Endura
+ 7'11
161
Louis Verhelst
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
162
Jelle Mannaerts
Vérandas Willems
s.t.
163
Andrea Manfredi
Bardiani CSF
s.t.
164
Jimmy Turgis
Roubaix Lille Métropole
s.t.
165
Walt de Winter
Vérandas Willems
s.t.
166
Markus Eichler
Team Stölting
s.t.
167
Andrei Nechita
MG.Kvis - Trevigiani
s.t.
168
Jérémy Bescond
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 8'35
169
Daniel Hoelgaard
Etixx
+ 8'37
170
Julien Duval
Roubaix Lille Métropole
s.t.
171
Christophe Laporte
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
172
Jan Dieteren
Team Stölting
s.t.
173
Rudy Barbier
Roubaix Lille Métropole
s.t.
174
Michael Goolaerts
Vérandas Willems
s.t.
175
Lorenzo di Remigio
MG.Kvis - Trevigiani
s.t.
176
John Murphy
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
177
Daniele Aldegheri
MG.Kvis - Trevigiani
+ 9'38
178
Frederik Dombrowski
Team Stölting
s.t.
179
Markus Hoelgaard
Etixx
s.t.
180
Carlos Alzate
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
181
Luke Keough
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
182
Daniel Summerhill
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
183
Jérémy Burton
Vérandas Willems
s.t.
184
Davide Malacarne
Team Europcar
+ 10'09
185
Julien Simon
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 11'50
186
Romain Pillon
Roubaix Lille Métropole
+ 14'18
187
Paolo Colonna
Bardiani CSF
+ 14'42
188
Gianluca Vecchio
MG.Kvis - Trevigiani
s.t.
189
Riccardo Donato
MG.Kvis - Trevigiani
+ 17'29
190
Mattia Frapporti
MG.Kvis - Trevigiani
+ 17'35
191
Christian Mager
Team Stölting
s.t.
192
Imanol Erviti
Movistar Team
+ 17'45
193
Tim Kerkhof
Etixx
+ 19'40
194
Thomas de Troch
Vérandas Willems
+ 32'47
Analysis
Another good day for me. I can feel it in my legs that this is the professional level, and not the amateur league anymore, but the professionalism of the team helps a lot. I have lots of help and the massages work miracles for my recuperation.
I hope to get some prime time in the breakaway later in this race, though. I'll see what George says tomorrow at breakfast. He's the boss, after all.
Respectfully yours,
Christian Reinhard Schultze
Edited by Ian Butler on 01-02-2015 17:38
Tour Méditerranéen, Southern France. It'll be my first race as a professional cyclist. He won't give me too much race days in the first part of the season, so I can train a lot and progress, instead of burning myself up. Through some one day races I should be ready for 
Köln, 
Vuelta a España, but that's looking too far ahead.
