The Jedermann Team Corratec started the season last week at the 2nd International Cycling Tour of North Cyprus. Velomotion accompanied the ambitious team at the start of the season. In a racing driver's diary, the drivers provide interesting insights into what happened during the four stages on Cyprus.
Unfortunately, not everything went according to plan in the run-up, shortly before take-off the Ötzi winner Bernd Hornetz had to drop out due to health reasons. In Robert Müller, however, Bernd had a high-quality and likeable representative who entered the race for him. Unfortunately, on the day of departure, Wolfgang Hofmann also had to cancel at short notice. Nevertheless, our Corratec team went into the race highly motivated.
Stage 1 – 16.02.17/XNUMX/XNUMX
The first race in 2017 was a stage race with a very strong international field of riders. 18 teams with 169 drivers and many professionals from 11 nations are here in Cyprus at the start. The first and at the same time longest stage with 181 km was characterized by the constant hard edge of wind driving for the first 2 hours of racing - with unexpectedly cold temperatures and some rain. To be precise: After 5 km of neutral driving, the race exploded right from the start. In particular, the pro teams Astana CT, Turko and Willier Selle Italia tried to make the first decisions immediately in the constantly strong wind from diagonally in front. How hard this action was designed showed that after about 5 km already more than 20 drivers fell out of the field and shortly afterwards from the following motorcade. In the Corratec team we had expected everything and prepared ourselves for it both mentally and tactically. But the fact that the first 20 km were so intense caught us unexpectedly. Everyone had to go to their limits right away, with a constant heart rate of over 170 beats, it was quite a challenge. A Corratec driver then caught the leading group, two other drivers of the team fought their way into the first chasing group. With maximum effort, the other drivers managed to jump into the second chasing group and were able to get stuck there. A treacherous gap opened up in the leading group when accelerating out of a roundabout, which our team-mate Robert Müller was no longer able to close on his own. At the front, the pace was kept extremely high by the 5 escapees and in the now 1st chasing group only a few riders tried to keep up the pace – especially in the finale. Anyone who was not in a front group after this intense first phase soon fell out of the back of the motorcade of more than 25 team vehicles. It was about fighting against being eliminated from the tour. However, all Team Corratec drivers were able to get stuck in a group and reached the finish line without danger. This race was very different from the amateur races we have raced in recent years. Our motto of taking as much experience as possible with us, especially in terms of race tactics, was probably more than appropriate. Unfortunately, after the first stage, the 2016 Glocknerkönig and Alpencup winner, Johannes Berndl, who was a bit "flu" with a sore throat and a sore throat, was unable to continue the tour. Berndl moved to the support team and showed real team spirit by continuing to support his colleagues.
Stage 2 – 17.02.17/XNUMX/XNUMX
The wind had dropped and the sun was shining so it was a perfect race day for us. Today they all managed to hold their own far further up the field. Of course, that wasn't very easy, since we were on the road with an average of 10 for the first 50 km. Unfortunately, there was a terrible mass fall in the front field during this phase. With a lot of luck, almost all Team Corratec drivers were able to avoid it somehow. Unfortunately, our team leader Bart Bury was also hit, he was no longer able to avoid the riders at the front of the field who had fallen just ahead of him. Bury had such an unfortunate fall that he broke his collarbone – a shock to the entire team. Up to around kilometer 120, all the remaining riders were able to hold their own at the front, with some very hard increases in speed costing a few grains. On the way to the mountain classification at approx. 700 m above zero, only a few riders could keep up with the high speed at the front and so several small groups formed. But Robert Müller and Stefan Oettl were able to keep up at the front. In the subsequent descent there were further selections. Those who couldn't keep up here quickly missed the group for the last 25 km. Robert Müller was still at the front of the field, from which only two climbers from Willier Selle Italia could break away. Somewhat surprisingly, these two professionals then made it to the finish line alone. The field was therefore about 3rd place. Robert was able to put himself in the limelight and was 3rd in the chasing field. This means 5th place in the stage classification: simply strong and unique, for Robert and for the entire team.
Stage 3 – 18.02.17/XNUMX/XNUMX
In this stage, all Team Corratec riders were at the top for a long time, only one of us was just not able to follow in the mountain classification. The race was hectic from time to time, especially after the first climb. But everything was more manageable, that's how we felt. In terms of landscape, this stage was by far the most beautiful, you really feel reminded of Mallorca here. This time, the first kilometers were somewhat defused. On the descent to the very beautiful coastal town of Girne, the pace picked up. And through the narrow streets, the highest concentration was required - as always actually - before it went 400 hm uphill to the next mountain classification. On the next mostly hilly 90 km, three of our Team Corratec riders found their place in the leading group. Only one of the teammates was in the first chasing group, which, however, reached the finish just behind the front runners. Inevitably it got hectic again in the last 5 km. Robert Müller then achieved another more than amazing success in a super-fast mass sprint with stage place 7.
Stage 4 – 19.02.17/XNUMX/XNUMX
The last stage started at 14:30 p.m. – a criterium over 50 km with 45 laps of 1,5 km each. With Robert, Stefan and Martin there were still 3 Team Corratec drivers at the start. Unfortunately, Michael had to leave shortly before the start, otherwise he would not have been able to get to his workplace on time on Monday. Although there were intermediate sprints every 10 km, in the end there were no ratings, so everything was decided in the last sprint. Small groups were able to break away again and again, but Robert was very attentive and managed to jump into the right groups every time. In the end, alongside Robert Müller, Stefan Oettl was also in the lead, where the last stage was then decided in a mass sprint. Another great 11th place was achieved for Robert and our team. For our Corratec team, the first race of the season is already coming to an end. All in all a great experience, unfortunately we weren't always happy on the road. From now on it's time to look ahead and take the form with you. At this point also get well soon to our injured teammate Bury. By the way, when we said goodbye, we were invited back for the tour next year.
