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KOFOLA - Going West | Tour du Haut Var
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| calamada8454 |
Posted on 24-10-2014 20:34
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Junior Rider
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Press release: Kofola Cycling Team
There is going to be a new continental cycling team in pro peloton from next season. Sponsored by Czech producer of soft drinks, Kofola, it has clear mission: to spread the name of company in new markets.
Kofola company was based in Czechoslovakia in 1959 and since then is one of the most popular soft drinks in region. Neither 1990's dramatic shift to market economy and arrival of Coca Cola and Pepsi could weaken its position. Kofola drink is part of tradition in Czech republic and Slovakia and managed to strengthen its position in Poland and Slovenia.
But next year, Kofola wants to make a bold step - expand to markets of France, Germany and Austria, which are dominated by Coca Cola and Pepsi. To support our endeavor, we are going to be a main sponsor of Kofola Cycling Team. Since we can't afford huge budget on this, team will be built around young cyclists from Czech republic, Slovakia, Poland and Slovenia. But we will try our best to sign some perspective cyclists from France, Germany and Austria as well, so we make more headlines in those countries. For sure, our goal is to be as successful as possible in all french, german and austrian races.
We believe that if our sportsmen will ride with courage and passion, they will bring attention of people and media to their performances. And if this cycling team will help to rise awareness of our company across those markets, we are ready to increase our sponsorship in following seasons. Currently the sponsor deal is signed until 2016.
We have already received the licence from UCI, and giving the final touch to our roster now. Stay tuned for following news.
Edited by calamada8454 on 04-11-2014 07:29
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| calamada8454 |
Posted on 24-10-2014 20:52
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Junior Rider
Posts: 37
Joined: 05-10-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Kofola. One of the interesting facts about this drink is that in countries, where is present for many years now, people like it more than Coca Cola or Pepsi. But people who grew up on Coke just can't get used to it. Now we want to challenge this dogma, like our cyclists will challenge races across the Europe! Kofola team will rock the roads!!
Edited by calamada8454 on 28-10-2014 21:04
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| calamada8454 |
Posted on 24-10-2014 21:07
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Junior Rider
Posts: 37
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Dear cycling fans,
I am happy I was appointed as a general manager of this thrilling cycling project. Right now, sport is in very difficult financial situation and it's great there is a new sponsor coming, who is willing to give a chance for young cyclists to develop and compete on professional level for next few years.
I still can't confirm our roster yet, but I just received the final version of our team dress!! I think it is awesome... As you can see, as a Czech based team, we will ride Author bikes 
Edited by calamada8454 on 28-10-2014 21:13
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| calamada8454 |
Posted on 24-10-2014 22:39
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Junior Rider
Posts: 37
Joined: 05-10-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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We've just finalized our roster for next season. I am happy we managed to sign riders that will give our team opportunity to be both competitive and with promising outlook for future. Here are our team leaders:
 Jan Barta (29) Definitely the best signing. We are so pleased that Jan has accepted our offer! He managed only one win last season (Czech national TT), but performed very well all year around. He is an incredible time trialist, finishing on podium in Tour de France, Bayern Rundfahrt, De Panne Tour and many other races. He will be one of our most experienced riders, who will take responsibility for results while going example to our youngsters.
 Kristijan Koren (27) Six seasons on World Tour level makes him another leader. Despite he never delivered big victory, he had few good results in Tour de Slovenia. Transition to continental level could start off his winning instincts. At the age of 27 he has still potential to grow.
 Matthias Brändle (24) We were already in talks with Matthias before his spectacular performance at recent Tour of Britain, where he took two stage wins. He has always been promising rider and this result raised his price quite a bit. But we are very pleased that sponsor accepted Matthias's financial demands and we can welcome him on board. He likes our project and we do everything that is in our power to help him develop.
Matej Mohoric (20) Two-time U-23 world champion. After one not very successful year with Cannondale squad he decided to take things at easier pace and joined our team where he will get more opportunities to shine.
But the team won't be focused solely on its leaders. All of other 14 riders will get their fair chance during the season. We are looking forward to what young sprinters can achieve, for example French Julian Alaphilippe or Polish Mateusz Nowak. We will patiently watch Silvio Herklotz from Germany and Czech talent Jan Hirt in the mountains. Anyone, who will try hard, will get our full support. Here is our full roster:
| Jan Barta | | 29 | Time-trial | | Kristjan Koren | | 27 | Northern classics | | Matthias Brändle | | 24 | Time-trial | | Matej Mohoric | | 19 | Puncher |  Mateusz Nowak | | 21 | Sprinter |  Silvio Herklotz | | 19 | Puncher |  Martin Velits | | 28 | Time-trial |  Julian Alaphilippe | | 21 | Sprinter |  Jaroslav Marzyc | | 26 | Sprinter | | George Preider | | 23 | Puncher | | Axel Domont | | 23 | Puncher | | Petr Vakoč | | 21 | Puncher | | Jan Hirt | | 23 | Climber | | Michael Kolar | | 21 | Sprinter | | Matej Jurco | | 29 | Fighter | | Juraj Sagan | | 25 | Fighter | | Robin Eckmann | | 21 | Stage races | | Erik Baska | | 20 | Puncher |
Edited by calamada8454 on 28-10-2014 21:34
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| OZrocker |
Posted on 26-10-2014 02:37
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Protected Rider
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Looks like a nice team, good luck!
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| welker3257 |
Posted on 26-10-2014 03:53
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2336
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You've got a nice little team there, good luck with your story
Gig 'em Aggies
Fast N' Loud Cycling Project - ICL
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| calamada8454 |
Posted on 26-10-2014 11:06
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Junior Rider
Posts: 37
Joined: 05-10-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Thanks guys for your support. We are now busy with planning for next season. So far we know that our sponsor wants us to focus primarily on Czech national championships, French races Tour du Haut Var and Paris - Camembert Lepetit and Spanish races Vuelta a Mallorca and Vuelta Castilla y Leon. It will be hard for us to accomplish all goals in first season, but we'll try. We also try to find the best available coaches, so riders can develop as much as possible for next seasons. Stay with us! |
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| MrUfo87 |
Posted on 26-10-2014 11:14
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2803
Joined: 06-01-2012
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A nice squad, curious to see what they can do. Good luck! 
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 26-10-2014 16:13
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
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Good Luck with this |
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| calamada8454 |
Posted on 26-10-2014 16:53
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Junior Rider
Posts: 37
Joined: 05-10-2010
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Thanks a lot guys. I am writing these lines from pre-season training camp in Alcamo/Sicily. We have just finished our plans for early season. And we have some disappointing news. Because we have two objectives coming very soon - Mallorca on 3rd of February and Haut Var on 16-th, we wanted to participate in as many races as possible... so our riders will have necessary kilometers in their legs. But unfortunately, the Tropicale Amissa Bongo race organizers turned down our application, as well as people behind GP La Marseillaise. I guess it's part of the game for new small team... :/ So, we have to tackle our objectives wit just one race in legs. It will be the New Zealand Cycle Classics. Jet lag can affect our riders there, but at least we will enjoy some good weather during those 5 stages.
Anyway, training conditions in Sicily are perfect. We came here with Barta, Herklotz, Domont, Hirt, Jurco and Preider, who are our men designated for those early objectives. And guys are getting into very good shape, so fingers crossed despite that not-ideal race schedule. Here is a quick snapshot I took this morning during training ride...
Edited by calamada8454 on 28-10-2014 21:36
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| Ad Bot |
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| calamada8454 |
Posted on 26-10-2014 18:10
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Joined: 05-10-2010
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Here we go, it's the first race of the season. We are at the other end of the world, in New Zealand. First stage is going to be rolling, not very technical prologue at Massey University. With 6,5 km length, many view our leader Jan Barta as a hot favorite. But in given circumstances - in a new team, on a new bike and in first race of the season, anything can happen. Let's not forget about more experienced teams who came here to compete, such as American teams Optum Kelly Benefit Strategies or 5 - Hour Energy.
The race has started, our first guy on the road is Martin Velits, younger brother of better known Peter. Next one is Kristijan Koren. He isn't in top form yet, but this terrain suits him well. Eventually, Koren managed to set best provisional time 8:35, topping Canadian Ryan Anderson by 2 seconds! But here comes Jan Barta, in his national champion jersey... Barta feels very good, he is flying from the very beginning... and with final time 8:33 he delivered our first victory! Nobody could beat even Koren's time so it is 1-2 for Kofola Cycling Team!! Who would dare to think about this just few hours ago?
| 1 | Jan Barta | Kofola Cycling Team | 8'33 | | 2 | Kristjan Koren | Kofola Cycling Team | + 2 | | 3 | Sébastien Rosseler | Veranclassic - Doltcini | + 3 | | 4 | Martijn Keizer | Veranclassic - Doltcini | + 4 | | 5 | Ryan Anderson | Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies | s.t. | | 6 | Hugo Sabido | LA Alumínios - Antarte | + 5 | | 7 | Eloy Teruel | Jamis - Hagens Berman | + 6 | | 8 | James Stemper | 5-Hour Energy | + 7 | | 9 | Shane Archbold | An Post - Chain Reaction | + 8 | | 10 | Matija Kvasina | RC Gourmetfein Wels | s.t. |
Edited by calamada8454 on 28-10-2014 22:03
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 26-10-2014 18:53
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
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A Great start to the race in New Zealand with a 1-2  |
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| nacho63 |
Posted on 26-10-2014 21:09
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Sprinter
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Really like the look of your team, lots of young talent but nothing too overboard and some nice older riders like Barta |
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| calamada8454 |
Posted on 26-10-2014 22:13
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Junior Rider
Posts: 37
Joined: 05-10-2010
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Second stage will probably end in a mass sprint. It isn't good news for us, as our sprinter Mateusz Nowak is not in form yet, there is 20s bonus waiting at the finish line and there are some good sprinters looking for glory. Still, we can at least enjoy beautiful warm morning in yellow
Attacks start right from the beginning, Herkotz tries to cover them, but can't cope with speed...
Eventually three riders make it to the break - Akimov, Muquerli and Lechugan...
Their lead never goes beyond 4:30. With 33km to go, Muquerli said enough and on the last climb decided to go alone...
But bunch can already smell the finish line and few teams chase him like crazy. We don't need to do any work...
Few kilometers later, pack is all together. Our leader Barta and sprinter Nowak are well protected...
Bunch was almost caught napping when three riders from Torku Seker Spor tried to speed up...
It was every man for himself from then on... Adam Blythe caught their wheel, Jan Barta glued to him on 5th place, Nowak on 10th...
Barta and Nowak tried to stay with them, but couldn't hold the speed in final kilometer...
In the end, it was Adam Blythe who confirmed his reputation of fast man. Barta held off to 5th place, Nowak to 6th.
It was very good result for us, despite we couldn't avert inevitable - Blythe took leader's jersey from us with that 20s bonus. The leading group of 7 riders made in the end 40s advantage to the rest, so the overall ranking will be probably decided among this small group. We are happy to have two riders in it, Barta and Nowak.
Edited by calamada8454 on 28-10-2014 22:02
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 26-10-2014 23:55
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Tour de France Champion
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The team seem to be enjoying themselves |
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| OZrocker |
Posted on 27-10-2014 14:38
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A nice start in NZ, some tough opposition so early in the year but they're doing well
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| calamada8454 |
Posted on 27-10-2014 19:24
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Junior Rider
Posts: 37
Joined: 05-10-2010
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Thanks for your support, we wouldn't think that in such a short time we will have supporters in Australia, England, Northern Wales... Thanks!
Today it's a stage 3 - very similar profile to yesterday's, but weather forecast says we should expect strong wind...
Edited by calamada8454 on 28-10-2014 22:15
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| calamada8454 |
Posted on 27-10-2014 19:54
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Junior Rider
Posts: 37
Joined: 05-10-2010
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When early attacks didn't succeed, we tried our luck. Czech youngster Hirt took his chances and distanced peloton with 128km to go and first climb still to come...
When chased down by other four riders, he took it easy, trying to save as much energy as possible, through hilly course...
After the last climb he went full gas, trying to motivate others so the break would have a chance to survive. But the gap was still only around 3min with 54k to go...
With 23k to go, it was clear that it just won't happen for the break...
But where one possibility ends, other begins... 13km to go Martin Velits attacked...
Pace was so high, that technical part caused serious problems to some riders. Luckily, our guys weren't involved in this...
Nowak tried to fight for a good position...
But Ryan Anderson from Optum Kelly Benefit showed such a speed that everybody else looked like standing still...
Race leader Adam Blythe managed only third, our Mateusz Nowak came totally empty on 11th place. Strong headwind in last 50k left him almost exhausted even before the sprint. Barta finished safely in the bunch.
Edited by calamada8454 on 28-10-2014 22:27
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 27-10-2014 22:55
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
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Oooops, no pictures visible  |
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| calamada8454 |
Posted on 27-10-2014 23:02
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Junior Rider
Posts: 37
Joined: 05-10-2010
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Stage 4 was very fast. Our both leaders Barta and Nowak had technical issues in the final part of the stage so we had to be happy just to finish safe in the bunch. Here are results of the stage:
| Rank | Name | Team | Time | | 1 | Adam Blythe | NFTO | 2h20'19 | | 2 | Russell Downing | NFTO | s.t. | | 3 | Fabien Bacquet | Veranclassic - Doltcini | s.t. | | 4 | Yuri Metlushenko | Torku Seker Spor | s.t. | | 5 | Juan José Haedo | Jamis - Hagens Berman | s.t. | | 6 | Dylan Groenewegen | Cyclingteam De Rijke | s.t. | | 7 | Ryan Anderson | Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies | s.t. | | 8 | Matthew Brammeier | Synergy Baku Cycling Project | s.t. | | 9 | Jon Aberasturi | Euskadi | s.t. | | 10 | Glenn O'Shea | An Post - Chain Reaction | s.t. |
And overall standings:
| Rank | Name | Team | Time | | 1 | Adam Blythe | NFTO | 9h28'50 | | 2 | Yuri Metlushenko | Torku Seker Spor | + 28 | | 3 | Jan Barta | Kofola Cycling Team | + 35 | | 4 | Jake Keough | 5-Hour Energy | + 42 | | 5 | Tom Scully | Madison Genesis | + 44 | | 6 | Yoeri Havik | Cyclingteam De Rijke | + 45 | | 7 | Mateusz Nowak | Kofola Cycling Team | + 52 | | 8 | Sergiy Gretchyn | Torku Seker Spor | + 58 | | 9 | Ryan Anderson | Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies | + 59 | | 10 | Sébastien Rosseler | Veranclassic - Doltcini | + 1'18 |
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