A lot has changed in the Tirol Cycling Team. After Harald Totschnig ended his active career as a cyclist in autumn 2013 after many successful years as captain and manager, a change in the team was certain for 2014. "I had very good years in the Tirol Cycling Team", said Harald at the time. His nickname Tosh viper but it will probably stay with him this year: "When I look at the team for 2014, you can expect a lot", he is sure.
A new, experienced captain was found in Josef Benetseder. The 30-year-old is one of the best Austrian professionals and has already won the mountain jersey at the Tour of Austria. "It's great how warmly I was welcomed by the team", according to the Upper Austrian. "One of my stated goals is a podium finish in the Austrian Radbundesliga." With Josef, a second Upper Austrian is also flying the Tyrolean flag. Lukas Pöstlberger is the reigning U23 state champion on the road and fits perfectly into the team.
Also new to the team are other very young riders who are starting their U23 career and are venturing into the elite of cycling through the Tirol Cycling Team. Florian Schipflinger from Maishofen, Mario Stock from Weerberg and Alexander Wachter from Pfunds complete the newcomers. “We have a very balanced team for 2014”, so the sporting director Roland Pils admits frankly. "When putting together the squad, we focused on young talents from Austria and are actually returning to the roots of the Tirol Cycling Team." He is convinced that 2014 will be a strong year for the team. "We are planning a very extensive race calendar and at the first team meeting last weekend we noticed an incredible will and very good team spirit."
The Tirol Cycling Team starts the 14 season with a total of 2014 riders. Five of them are new to the team. They are also shown in the photo above: Mario Stock, Alexander Wachter and Florian Schipflinger are the three young talents who are starting in the U23 category for the first time this year in the Tirol Cycling Team. Veteran Josef Benetseder and the Austrian U23 state champion Lukas Pöstlberger complete the new team. (Left to right). The main sporting director of the team, Roland Pils (middle of the picture), is also new.