We had our first sit-down with the new sponsor and the new guys on the team. There have been a lot of transfers and incoming new staff members, so it was nice to get a chance to meet everone.
Early January we would present the new team, new kit, new riders, new sponsors, to the world. Our team presentation was scheduled for January 10th, which was yesterday.
The presentation was a bit special, with some nice surprised, but since it lasted a couple of hours, let me just give you the brief version.
Cannondale attracting world riders. Alongside Sagan they now have Rodriguez and TT beast Bickle.
Team Celesio - Macquarie: A Sense of Direction
2015 Goals
Podium a Grand Tour
Top 10 Tour de France
Stage Wins in each of the Grand Tours
Win a Classic
Win Tour Down Under
Conquer at least 3 National Jerseys
Defend De Gendt's World Champion Jersey
Top 3 UCI Team Rankings (team)
Top 5 UCI Individual Rankings
Long-Term Goals
Reintegrate cycling in Germany
Win a Grand Tour by 2017
Win a Monument by 2017
Win the UCI Team Rankings by 2018
Win the UCI Individual Rankings by 2019
Podium a Grand Tour with a German rider by 2019
Podium a Grand Tour with an Australian rider by 2020
Win the World Championships Team Time Trial by 2017
Win the World Championships Road Race by 2018
Win the Tour de France by 2020
Henry Vergnaud in Team Celesio - Macquarie
A new sponsor, new goals and dreams, new riders. With my results so far, I shouldn't be afraid for my place in the team, but it'll be interesting to see where I stand in Celesio's vision.
I have signed a new contract, lasting for two seasons, I must admit Celesio has made a very generous offer towards me. This is their way of showing complete confidence in me, and I must say that's important. You never know what a new sponsor will bring, so I'm glad it's been this easy for me. I guess Van Impe has played a role in that.
Training Camp
Right now we're all at the training camp. With Macquarie, our Australian co-sponsor, we had a chance to go training in Australia. We're all here for two weeks. It's been great riding with the guys again. The new arrivals, the Posa brothers, are so much fun. They're real strong cyclists as well. The oldest, Christian, is already a very strong climber, puncher and time trialist. He might be that Australian rider the sponsor talk about, wanting him to podium a GT in the future. Danny is not as strong as his older brother, but I have a feeling this boy is even more talented, but it still has to come out. He seems to have unlimited potential.
Johan (Le Bon) and I connected right away, too. He's only a year older, we're about on the same wavelength, so we get along great. The only new arrival I haven't talked to yet is Thomas De Gendt, and, to be completely honest, that is because I'm too intimidated to go and talk to him. He's such an impressive rider, such strength.
Anyway, at the end of the training camp, I'll sit down with Van Impe (who's now manager, DS and coach of the team) and talk about the 2015 season. I'd like to give the Ardennes classics a go this year. The Giro and the Tour are on my favorite list, too. I don't feel up for the Vuelta this year, since the profile isn't much to my liking.
Looks like they have a strong team set-up and after Henry´s great last season I'd say he looks the favourite for Tour captaincy (depending on the routes perhaps)
Great team presentation. Quite some ambitious goals by the sponsors, at least Henry's new contract brings quite some cash. Ardennes, Giro & Tour sounds good.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Atlantius - Tour captaincy would be amazing, he might get it, though
Jakstar22 - Thanks, Jak!
Dippofix - They really do. In a few years, they'll be a super duo!
duxili - What notes?
Shonak - The sponsors are really ambitious, but if you aim high... I don't expect everything will work out, but at least we can get to business with these guys
sutty68 - Definitely!
Both the new kit and the contract are all the work of anderspcm, but most if you already knew that, of course
He made me an early pre-release pack for this story, so a big thank you for him!
Back to business: Last week I've been going pretty fast, and it was a great week, but I'm afraid I'll have to slow down now. It's easy to give into temptation but I have to get school work done, urgently!
So maybe I'll do another update today, but it might be tomorrow, too.
Our training camp in Australia has come to an end. It's been an amazing experience. We're all very excited for the new season. I can't wait to start racing again!
Manager Van Impe has made a tradition of it to evaluate the team through some parameters. Celesio has two strong points for the coming season: a wide climbing squad and killer time trialists.
We also have some strong northern classic riders, but that's not really my department.
(Possible) stage racers
Time trialists
Team Planning
Name of the race + Leader/important rider
Tour Down Under: Vergnaud, Kristoff Paris - Nice: Vergnaud, Roche, Stybar Tirreno - Adriatico: De Gendt, Poels Milano - San Remo: Stybar, Kristoff Tour of Catalunya: Roche Cobbled Classics: Kristoff, Stybar, Offredo Tour de Basque Country: De Gendt Ardennes Classics: Vergnaud, Poels, De Gendt Tour of Romadie: De Gendt
Tour de France: Vergnaud, Kristoff, Poels, Herklotz
Tour of Poland: Le Bon, Roche Eneco Tour: Stybar
Vuelta a España: De Gendt, Roche
Canadian Classics: Vergnaud, Poels
Races not listed have not been decided yet.
Individual Planning
With Macquarie being an Australian sponsor, they expect a strong result in the Tour Down Under. I'll be defending my last year's overall victory. The profile is hillier than last time.
The Tour of Oman is my next objective. I will aim for a high place on the GC there. Through that and Murcia I will have prepared for Paris - Nice, where I also have a win to defend (still can't believe how strong I performed last season)
I will move on from there to the Ardennes Classics. After which, I will enjoy a nice break.
Tour de Suisse is next. I'm not sure what to expect there. It's a prep race, so I might go for a stage victory, gain some confidence after a long break. The National Championships are a big goal for me, the Road Race especially. I want that jersey back and I'll be in top form to conquer it!
Tour de France is the main objective of the season. This year I'll make it work for sure! The profile isn't as suiting for me as last year, but if you're strong enough, you can do anything, I believe. When you can podium the Vuelta, a top 5 in the Tour is possible, but I'd settle for a top 10, too. The Tour will always be the Tour, Van Impe says you can't underestimate it.
I'll be racing the Tour Down Under, so for now I'm staying in Australia, since the training camp was here. So I need to go, I have a webcam date with Becca, who's at home.
Henry
Becca was the best choice, I think so, too!
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