Welcome to the official 2013 Team Headquarters of the Swiss ProTour team UBS-BMC. The team's aim, in partnership with our sponsors, is to bring Swiss cycling to the forefront of the professional stage, and to develop the next generation of Swiss talents who can be competitive at the ProTour level.
Goals
Win
Tour of Romandie - 12th, Amador
Top 10
Il Giro d'Italia-4th, Nibali
Top 10
Liege - Bastogne - Liege-4th, Schumacher
Top 10
Tour de Suisse-1st, Amador
Top 10
ProTour Team Rankings-6th
Sponsors
UBS
UBS, the Swiss international financial services company, is the project's long term primary sponsor that is continuing its sponsorship for a third consecutive year in 2013. I am pleased to be working with UBS for another year, and I think we expect this relationship to continue for many years to come as we continue to develop Swiss cycling.
BMC
Swiss cycling company BMC is making their return to the professional peloton this year at the highest level by taking a role as the team's second title sponsor and the official bike supplier. I am exceptionally pleased with this partnership with the Swiss bicycle giant, but unfortunately for us, we no longer have any excuses to not win.
ASSOS of Switzlerand
Returning for their second year of sponsorship in 2013 is Swiss high-quality clothing company ASSOS. They will be supplying the team with clothes as they did in 2012.
DT Swiss
The team's BMC frames will be rolling on some of the most technologically advanced wheels available in 2013, courtesy of our new sponsor, DT Swiss. I am pleased to welcome them aboard.
Catlike
Once again, I would like to welcome back Catlike as they renew their sponsorship of the team in 2013. Catlike is a Spanish company, but have been a valued partner for some time now, and the riders are all thrilled to be wearing the famous honey comb helmets again in 2013.
I am pleased to announce that we have now completed our 2013 roster here at UBS - BMC. We will be featuring 21 riders, 11 of whom are Swiss. This is an important milestone for the project, because it marks the first time that we have had a majority of Swiss riders on the team. We have also brought in some international talent in the form of the Italian superstar Vincenzo Nibali. I'll go through and introduce each of the riders that will be joining us in 2013.
- Vincenzo Nibali
Vincenzo is obviously the biggest name that we have brought to the team going into next year. We spent a significant part of our budget on securing him, and we expect him to deliver us big results. He will lead the team in the Giro d'Italia, which is one of the races that we want to focus on. While he did not race last year, we hope he can at least replicate the podium placing that he achieved the year prior, and maybe even be a contender for the win. I'm absolutely thrilled to have Vincenzo with us, and even though he is not Swiss, Italian is one of the predominant languages spoken on the team so he will be right at home.
- Matthias Frank
Matthias was another key signing this year as he is probably currently the best stage racer in Swiss cycling. We shelled out a lot of money to draw him to the ProTour, but I think it will pay off exponentially in the long run as he will be one of the better lieutenants in cycling, as well a capable leader in some of the races where Vincenzo and Andrei aren't present. The fans are thrilled to have him, and we think he's here to stay for the long run.
- Danilo Wyss
A lot of people were surprised that I didn't pursue Cancellara, and I have to say that I made the decision not to because our current roster would not have adequate support for his goals in the cobbled classics. Its going to be a couple of years before we develop a full classics department here at UBS - BMC, but Danilo Wyss is the beginning of that process. He will be our de facto leader when the roads get rough, and he will enjoy riding for himself in the classics season, with very little pressure for results because the team's focuses are currently elsewhere.
- Ivan Santaromita
Ivan Santaromita is a pure climber in the style of Oliver Zaugg and Johann Tschopp, so I think he will be right at home with us. He was brought to the team as part of a trade deal I signed with the manager of the previously-Italian outfit ING. Ivan won the Deutschland Tour last year, which is now a ProTour event, so you can expect to see him making a return there, as well as supporting Andrei and Vincenzo in the high mountains of other races.
- Sebastien Reichenbach
We brought in two additional young talents for 2013, the first of them being Sebastien Reichenbach. Sebastien is a capable climber already, and my scouts have predicted that he will develop into a quality stage racer. He will spend this year in the ProTour, which will be a steep learning curve, but with enough commitment, I think he will adapt quickly a be thriving by next year.
- Patrick Schelling
Patrick Schelling has been touted as future of Swiss cycling, and a potential Grand Tour contender when he reaches his prime. For these reasons, the sponsors and fans were thrilled to sign him, and since I think he is the best hope for a Swiss Grand Tour win, the team will commit to developing him over the long term. To begin this process, I have arranged a loan deal with the manager of the Kazakhstan-based Cisco Cycling Team to have him race his first professional year in the Continental Tour.
- Edoardo Girardi
Edoardo Girardi is joining UBS - BMC as part of the loan deal with Cisco Cycling Team. He will only be on the team for 2013, as Cisco seeks to get him ProTour experience before he returns to them next year. Edoardo will most likely feature wherever Vincenzo is racing, as the compatriots both have similar styles of riding and Edoardo can be a valuable climbing domestique. This means he will most likely ride the Giro.
I can get Nibali to 83, or Amador to 83 and Nibali to 82. Amador will be around for longer on the team because he is a couple years younger, so I think I'm going with the second option.
As for Reichenbach, he is already a level 2, so his max hill would be 78. So it is 76 MO vs 78 HI, and with my current team set up, a climbing domestique is more useful than a hilly one. I don't know though, we'll see.
Amador 83MO is nice... I would personally go for 83MO with Nibali as he (like you say) will be there a shorter period of time. So if you want to get the most out of the time there (which you will since you paid almost 1mio), then I would make him the best possible rider... Also with 83MO he could potentially be 2nd in the Giro, while with 82 I think both Ricco and Sella would probably still beat him.
But oh well, the headache with trainings is always good. I can't train any of my GC riders which sucks!
Last year, I made the decision to sign Andrei Amador from Free Agency as UBS' primary leader in stage races. At that time, he was a relatively unproven young rider, who had shown his potential by achieving a 7th overall in the Vuelta, but was widely regarded as a question mark as to his future potential. I made the decision to bring him on board and invest in his training, and it was probably the best decision I've made. 2012 turned out to be Andrei's breakout year, in which he claimed 3rd in the Tour of Romandie, 5th in the Giro d'Italia, and 6th in the Tour de France, with a stage win in each.
So I thought I'd invite a journalist to do a Q&A with him for the fans and sponsors.
Q) So the first question is... What was the turning point for you? What was the moment where everything clicked, and you became a force to be reckoned with in the GC battles?
A) Well, I think there were two parts. The first was my natural progression, because I was still a young guy in 2011, and I was and still am always getting stronger. The other part was the team. Bushwackers put his faith in me and really put me as the focus of the team, investing a lot on specialized programs for me and focusing on making adjustments to my training and diet. That really paid off. The team also put a strong squad behind me in every race, and that really boosted my confidence, just knowing that I had that faith and security.
Q) Speaking of riding on a new team, it seemed like the move to UBS was really a great thing for your career. But was there any difficulty adjusting, considering the team's mostly Swiss nationality?
A) Right.. I actually don't think that there were any problems adjusting. UBS, in the past mostly, has always had a multi-national core, and last year there were a couple other native Spanish speakers, who also happened to be great climbers as well, so its not like I was alone there. And Bushwackers also brought in Johann Tschopp last year, who I raced with on Starbuck's. We are actually great friends. I wouldn't have been able to take 7th in the 2011 Vuelta without Johann, and he was also on the Tour de France team last year to help me come in 6th. There's less international riders this year, but I now I know everyone anyway.
Q) Ok, what would you say your biggest result was last year?
A) Well... My biggest result was 6th in the Tour GC. But my proudest result was Stage 16 in the Tour, the uphill time trial that I won. That was the moment where I realized that I could hang with the best in the world, and beat them. Well actually I thought that in the Giro mountain time trial as well, but these were really the best of the best (laughs). That Tour was really a great race, for the team too. Johann won a stage, and I think Florentino Marquez took one as well.
Q) Ok let's talk about this year. What are your impressions of the team for 2013?
A) Of course I'm thrilled with the makeup of the team this year. Bushwackers signed a bunch of great new guys... Santaromita, Matthias Frank, of course Nibali...
Q) And speaking of Vincenzo Nibali, do you feel like you'll have less freedom with the arrival of the Italian superstar? Do you get along?
A) Well I don't know yet, I haven't met him. I'll tell you after training camp (laughs). But as for the conflict of our goals, I'm really not concerned. We had Gomez Marchante last year, and there wasn't any problems, because there are enough stage races to go around. And Bushwackers has told me that Nibali is more interested in the Giro than the Tour, so that works out for everyone.
Q) Ok. What can you tell us about your schedule for 2013? Any specific races you're targeting?
A) Yes, let's see... Well last year I raced both the Giro and the Tour, and it worked out well, but this year I'm focusing only on [REDACTED]. I'd really like to Top-5 there, but of course there are a lot of strong guys now, some that weren't at [REDACTED] last year, so it will be tough. I'm also pleased to be racing the sponsors' target races in [REDACTED], as well as [REDACTED] again. That's covers most of it.
Q) Ok last question. Make a prediction about cycling this year.
A) Hmm... Contador will crash out of the Vuelta and Taylor Phinney will have a breakout year.
Q) Thanks Andrei, and good luck this year.
A) Thank you.Edited by Bushwackers on 05-01-2013 15:48
Stefan Schumacher is one of 5 riders that has been with the team since the Wii Racing days of 2010. He has become a permanent fixture as the veteran captain of our hilly races department, and I consider him to be one of the core riders that gives UBS - BMC our identity. Stefan has accrued countless top results in the Continental Tour in the past with us, but stepped up to the plate this year in the ProTour to show that he is one of the best one-day racers in the world by taking podium places in Rund um Koln and the prestigious Liege - Bastogne - Liege. He's been underrated in the past, but I think he is going to have a big year this year.
And here's the next segment of the rider Q&A.
Q) Alright Stefan, so to start off, what are your impressions of the support team that Bushwackers has built for you this transfer season?
A) Well I don't think we will have any problems, but honestly I was disappointed to see Sergio Barrio leave. He is a very talented young rider, and I think he would have had a good season this year, but I guess if he can get more opportunities on a different team, then that is fine...
But we still have many of the same guys from last year. Zahner, Stalder, Albasini of course... I am very lucky to have Albasini, he could lead a team on his own, he showed us in Fleche Wallone. And we have been team mates for so long now that we can read each other's mind. Bushwackers also brought in some other talented riders like Matthias Frank. Also the youngster Sebastien Reichenbach, who will be guided by Albasini and me this year.
Q) So overall, it sounds like you're pleased with the team.
A) Yes, I am. I think we will achieve even more this year than we have in the past.
Q) And by achieve more, what exactly do you mean? Can you give us any specific goals that you have?
A) Yes, I think this year I want to win a classic. I came close many times last year, but this year we all have a little more experience in the ProTour, and I think we can put it all together.
Q) Which of the classics would you most like to win?
A) Of course I have to say Liege - Bastogne - Liege. I came painfully close last year with a late attack, but Frank Schleck caught me at the very end and won it... Again (laughs).
Q) But you think you can beat him this year? Tell us your impressions about the competition this year.
A) I think this year.. It will be a bit harder. You have guys like Claeys and Di Maggio who dominated the Continental Tour last year, and are in the ProTour now with something to prove. And you also have young guys like Edvald Boasson Hagen and Tejay Van Garderen who had big years last year, but if they continue to improve, they will have huge years this year. This is on top of the established stars. Schleck, Gilbert, Trofimov, Bakelants... Yeah it is going to be tough.
Q) And what sets you apart from the riders you just mentioned? What is your advantage?
A) Good question (laughs). I think I'll say that I have more years of racing than a lot of these guys. The experience always pays off.
Q) Ok, and looking to the future, what are your thoughts about your career?
A) Well, first I'd like to get through this year and see where I am at. I think this year will be the peak of my career, and I've still got a few years left in me. As for the team, I'm comfortable at UBS - BMC. I've been here with Bushwackers, Albasini, the others, so long that it feels like home. If it were up to me, I wouldn't be going anywhere (laughs).
Q) Ok Stefan, we'll end the interview with a prediction. What's going to happen this year?
A) I think Jan Bakelants will win his first Ardennes classic. And I think Cancellara will sweep the cobbled races.
With the first part of the season complete, I'd just like to give an overview the team's performance. We're currently sitting in 15th place in the team standings, which is not good but also not unexpected by any means. Of course we'd like to be a little higher, but we're sitting in 15th based almost solely on the work of Stefan Schumacher, as Vincenzo Nibali and Andrei Amador haven't really hit the main parts of their seasons. We're still looking for our first win too, but I'm confident that that will come soon.
Like I said, most of our points can be attributed to Stefan Schumacher, who has had a great early season and is taking some time off after just recently finishing off his classics campaign. Stefan started the season strong, claiming 2nd at Paris Nice (with a couple of stage podiums), and then 10th at Milan San Remo. He stayed strong, nabbing 8th at Pais Vasco with a podium in the time trial before going into the Ardennes Classics. Stefan proved his consistency in the hilly classics with a strong 2nd at Amstel Gold, and then 4th at Liege - Bastogne - Liege. Like I said, he'll be taking some time off before we hit round 2 with the hilly classics later in the season.
Stefan Schumacher comes in solo to take 2nd at the Amstel Gold Race, his best result in an Ardennes classic
Andrei Amador has also raced a couple of the early stage races, and he gave us some encouraging signs for his form at the Volta a Catalunya. He podiumed on a couple of stages, and ended up 4th overall. More recently Andrei raced the Tour of Romandie, one of our home races and a big objective. He missed a move and despite some aggressive riding later on, only managed to finish 12th. I'm confident that this is only a matter of tactics, and not a question of form as he displayed his strength in the mountain time trial. He'll give it another go in the Tour de Suisse as we continue his preparation for the Tour de France.
Andrei Amador rides to a respectable 7th place in his Costa Rican national champion kit in the mountain time trial of the Tour of Romandie.
As per tradition with UBS - BMC, the big names of the team weren't the only ones to obtain results for us. Maximiliano Richeze started the year strong with a podium and some other top finishes against the best sprinters in the Pro Tour at the Tour of Qatar. He'll be present at the Giro d'Italia as well, where I think he'll be a major factor in the sprints. I've loved having Maximiliano on the team, as he's one of those sprinters who can get top results without any form of leadout train, which we've been unable to provide most years.
Some of the others results have come from aggressive riding by the team's lieutenants. Christophe Riblon has seen some success in breakaways, most recently taking a 3rd in the last stage of the Tour of Romandie. Michael Albasini has also also slotting in the top ten on a few stages in the Pais Vasco, Tirreno - Adriatico, and recently in at his home tour in Romandie. But perhaps the most surprising result has come from our new signing, classics man Danilo Wyss. Danilo is the star of our fledgling classics department, and he shocked everyone when he finished 7th in Gent - Wevelgem. I was thrilled, and I'll say that this is a sign of things to come.
Michael Albasini attacks to bridge to a breakaway on Stage 4 of Tirreno - Adriatico.
I'd also like make a special shout out to our loaned out neo-pro, Patrick Schelling. Patrick is absolutely killing it in the ProContinental ranks, where he is on loan to Cisco Cycling. He's won a mountain stage and the king of the mountains jersey at the Vuelta a Tachira, and has taken 4th and 6th in the king of the mountains competitions at the Ostdeutschland Tour and Tour of Vancouver, respectively, after taking part in 4 separate breakaways. I think he's clearly showing that he's ready to move to the Pro Tour, and I'm looking forward to working with him from next year on. Watch this kid, he's going to be big.
Patrick Schelling wins in the high mountains of Stage 9 of the Vuelta a Tachira, sporting the Cisco colors.
At this point, you're probably wondering why I haven't mentioned Vincenzo Nibali. Admittedly, Vincenzo has been quiet this year, but I think this is only because he's just getting back into the racing groove. He's had to blow the dust out of his legs after coming back from a year out of the professional scene. He's been working closely with our training staff though, and we've been continually seeing his form improving. I'm fully confident that he's ready and capable of leading the team at the Giro d'Italia. Winning the Giro after taking a year off his a tall order, but we have a strong supporting squad and we're going to take it day by day. Here's our line up, and we'll see you at the Giro:
I wanted to push for the Giro win this year.
