Cycling: Not a year without sensations - although we have to admit that the big surprises in cycling in 2017 were limited. Nevertheless, we found a few unexpected results.
Tom Dumoulin: The transformation has been successfully completed
The name Tom Dumoulin has been well known in cycling circles for years. As a strong time trialist, he has celebrated many successes in his career. But a few months ago he set himself the goal of further development. From then on, the Dutchman also wanted to be among the front runners in the mountains in order to be able to have a say in the overall standings. Already in his first year after the change in training it can be said with certainty that this transformation was successfully completed. Finally, the now 27-year-old won the Giro d'Italia. Or does the development of Tom Dumoulin go even further? Maybe he can even challenge Chris Froome at the Tour de France in the future.
Michael Woods: Riding the season of life at 30
Michael Woods is exactly what you would call a late starter. The Canadian was initially active as a middle-distance runner before a stress fracture in his left foot forced him to end his career. Eventually he swung himself onto a racing bike. In 2015 he won a stage of the Tour of Utah, so in 2016 he found his way to Team Cannondale. In 2017, at the age of 30, he had his strongest season. He finished second at the GP Miguel Indurain, ninth at Liège-Bastogne-Liège and took part directly in two Grand Tours with the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a Espana. He even finished the Tour of Spain in seventh place overall. Who would have expected that? Probably not himself. So Michael Woods is clearly one of the cycling surprises of 2017.
Lukas Pöstlberger: Suddenly he was gone
At the start of the Giro d'Italia all experts expected a mass sprint. Up to 1,5 kilometers before the finish it looked very likely. But then the German team Bora-hansgrohe achieved a real highlight. Actually, Lukas Pöstlberger should only have prepared the sprint for his teammate. Instead, a gap arose - and it could no longer be closed. The Austrian saw his chance and pulled through.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pd6w6nytRsA&t=20s
Stefan Denifl: The Austrian wins in the mountains of Spain
So far, Stefan Denifl has been known as a solid driver, but by no means as a mountain goat. But on the 17th stage he taught us better. The Austrian broke away from his strong companions on the steep Alto de los Machucos. He was followed by none other than Alberto Contador from the peloton. But the tall man from the Aqua Blue Sport team couldn't be caught.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Wxl8x_A3wM&t=51s