Juniors to watch in 2019 part III

Hello and welcome in the final part of my juniors to watch list. As usual, last part will contain two names from 2002 being first year juniors in upcoming season together with last two riders from 2001. Enjoy reading!

Andrea Piccolo (2001, Italy)

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As for many riders on this list, first result that draw my attention for Andrea came from u17 category and 2017 European Youth Olympic Festival. Piccolo won the road race out sprinting his breakaway compatriots at the line. The thing that is worth to mention is that all his opponents were from the same country, Russia. You have to be way stronger and smarter to beat three riders from the same team at the finish line. He ended the season with 14 wins from national calendar winning the annual u17 ranking in Italy. In 2018 he won 12 times in Italy including national title in time trial, overall classification of Tre Giorni Orobica, GP della Liberazione and prestigious Trofeo Emilio Paganessi few weeks before the Worlds where he has beaten some of the strongest juniors riders like Vacek, Wandahl, Hailu or Mayrhofer. Piccolo also impressed in Nations' Cup events in spring. He was second behind Evenepoel in Trophée Centre Morbihan and fourth in GP Général Patton. In European Championships he finished sixth in road race. World Championships in Innsbruck was one of the season highlights for Andrea. First, he surprised many with third place in time trial before being a protagonist in road race. In the end he took eleventh place but he was simply one of the strongest riders in field. His talent was already noticed by WT teams as Andrea was invited to Astana training camp earlier this year. Personally, I see Piccolo as one of the top3 juniors for 2019.

Axel van der Tuuk (2001, Netherlands)

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Third Dutch rider on my list and a guy who was a little bit off the radar I believe despite very good results as first year junior.  He road full cobbled classics campaign with two highlights: second place in Guido Reybrouck Classic (behind Evenepoel) and solo win in E3 Harelbeke.  Next he switched his focus to stage races with fifth place and stage win in Poland in Grudziądz ahead of Tour du Pays de Vaud where he won an opening TTT with national team and scored two top ten places on stages in very mountainous race that does not entirely fit into Axel's characteristics.  One of the season highlights came in June when Axel won national title in time trial and continued with eleventh place in European Championships TT. The second part of the season was marked by stage win and fourth place in GC of Ronde des Vallées and another decent ride in Grand Prix Rüebliland where van der Tuuk was in top ten of each stage and finished eleventh in GC against very strong field. Axel can be fast on the line, rides well in TTs and showed great potential on cobbles. Should be one of the favorites for cobbled classics but we can also expect him to finish high in GC of hilly Nations Cup events, especially the ones with TT.

I have asked Axel how he reflects his 2018 season and what are his goals for 2019:

My 2018 season was really great. I didn’t expect it to turn out so successful, it got better every week. In Guido Reybrouck I really knew I could race for good results at the juniors. My biggest highlight was E3 Harelbeke I think, also with becoming Dutch champion TT and stage 1 in Ronde des Vallees. Overall it was a good season, unless the end, the season became a bit to long for me, i got very ill for a time... all recovered and ready to rumble the new season. I have no specific goals. Just try to do well in UCI races and hope to race the World and European championship.

Mathias Vacek (2002, Czech Republic)

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Mathias follow the path of his older brother Karel who is currently riding for Hagens Berman Axeon team. After decent season as first year u17, he moved to Italy to race for the same team as Karel, Team Giorgi A.S.D. The result was probably above anyone expectations as Mathias managed to win no less then 22 races as second year u17! He dominated the Italian scene winning time trials, especially the uphill ones and one day races, usually finishing solo. He also won both titles in National Championships and won Course de la Paix for u17 riders including two stage wins. In other words, he was simply the best rider in Italy in u17 category. Looking at Karel's transition to u19, we can expect Mathias to shine right from the start of his junior campaign. His climbing skills are immense and he should be one of the strongest juniors on climbs right away. Course de la Paix win is clearly within his reach in 2019.

Marco Brenner (2002, Germany)

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If 22 wins by Vacek was impressive then what about 40 wins by Marco ? Obviously it's something that you cannot really compare as Marco won it in different disciplines including cx and track but the number of wins clearly shows how big is his potential. Marco Brenner will race for Italian team Autozai Contri Omap and stands out as the biggest competitor for Mathias Vacek as they will both race in Italy next season. Brenner won two of the biggest stage races in u17 category last year: Radjugendtour Oststeiermark and Critérium des Jeunes in Luxembourg. Obviously he has also won stage races in germany like TMP Jugendtour and 3-Etappenrennen in Weilburg-Odersbach. He also won Coppa d’Oro, one of the most prestigious one day races in Italy. In other words, he was probably the best u17 racer in Europe. It will be very interesting how he managed to move to higher category. We should be able to witness many duels between him and Vacek on Italian soil.

I have asked Marco how he reflects his 2018 season and what are his goals for 2019:

My season 2018 was my best season so far, over 40 victories included the GC win at 

Radjugendtour and the mountain jersey, GC and mountain jersey and points jersey at Criterium Europeen des Jeunes and a vice national title both on road and cyclocross and a national title at points race on track. My goals for next year: participation at some Nations Cup events and win some races.

That's all. What do you think about my selection ? Did I miss anyone ? Do you see other guys from 2002 having bigger potential ? Let me know, looking forward to ready your opinions!

Next step: KBK preview. 

Juniors to watch in 2019 part II

Welcome in the second part of my annual juniors to watch list.

Michel Hessmann (2001, Germany)

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Michel continues tradition of great TT riders in junior category from Germany with likes of Kittel, Schachmann, Kamna or Appelt in the past. Hessmann was already impressive in u17 category where he was second in Radjugendtour Oststeiermark after winning the opening TTT with his team. He also won a silver medal in Youth Olympic Festival in Györ in TT and TMP Jugendtour, stage race in Germany with strong international lineup. His junior campaign started with a solid 20th place in Paris Roubaix before scoring two top10s in Nations' Cup events. Thanks o fifth place in TT he finished sixth overall in Trophée Centre Morbihan and seventh in Saarland Trofeo after fourth place in TT. In July Hessmann narrowly missed podium in Juniors Road European Championships TT finishing fourth behind Evenepoel, Van Wilder and Tiberi.  His time trial skills finally brought him a win in National Championships TT. The final part of the season was marked by top10 finish in Giro della Lunigiana against strong competition before finishing fourth in World Championships in TT behind Evenepoel, Plapp and Piccolo which was clearly Michel's strongest performance as first year junior. In 2019 we can expect Michel to aim for a win in TT in one of the Nations' Cup events and aim for gold medal in TT in Yorkshire.

I have asked Michel how he reflects his 2018 season and what are his goals for 2019:

My Season 2018 began in Roubaix without any expectations and some fear about the cobbles it turned to be one of the coolest races i did even though i only got 20th due to two flats at the wrong moment. The first breakthrough was at the Nations Cup Trophee Centre Morbihan with a 5th Place in the TT and 6th in GC it continued with a  4th Place in the TT at the nations Cup Saarland Trofeo After i recovered from two Crashes with a small concussion the Stages before. After that everything the season got. even better with the 4th Place at the Europeans TT and the worlds TT which was one of the greatest experiences I had so far.

In 2019 my goals are for sure the European Championships TT and even more the worlds TT. But the Most Important Thing for me is to further develop as a Rider and try to find my strengths as a Rider.

Carlos Rodriguez (2001, Spain)

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It barely happens to see a junior from Spain achieving such a great results in international races. Carlos, as many other in my list, was a dominator in u17 category in his home country. As a junior he proved his ability to TT, climb and ride well in hilly terrain but actually his first impressive ride came from Paris Roubaix where he finished sixth. In May he won TT and finished fourth in Tour de Gironde before claiming his first Nations Cup win in Trophée Centre Morbihan where he managed to ride away on the final stage which also gave him fifth place in GC. After that Carlos scored second place in GC of Vuelta al Besaya and won Vuelta al Pais Vasco for juniors, two the most prestigious stage races in Spain for juniors. He confirmed his great shape with bronze medal in RR Juniors Road European Championships where only Balmer and Evenepoel were stronger. With such an impressive season, full of great results, Carlos was a bit off in Worlds but I'm sure next year he will be a strong competitor for TT win. In 2019 we can expect Carlos to prove his ability as a stage racer and I believe he is on a right path to join Kometa team in 2020 as he is already a part of Alberto Contador's team in junior category.

Quinn Simmons (2001, USA)

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Quinn, who was focused more on MTB then road racing as a young rider, started his 2018 campaign on the road with two stage wins and overall in Valley of the Sun Stage Race in February which is important test for all American juniors aiming to ride in Europe. His spring block of racing started with third place in Gent Wevelgem, before finishing third again in overall classification of Ster Van Zuid Limburg and seventh place in Paris Roubaix. Despite limited program in Europe he also managed to win a stage and points jersey in Saarland Trofeo. Finally, in July Simmons won road race in National Championships. With more focus on road racing, inn 2019 we can expect Quinn to shine in classics and aim for a big win in one of them. As he states himself, he would like to earn a spot in development team focused on racing in Europe in 2020.

I have asked Quinn how he reflects his 2018 season and what are his goals for 2019:

2018 for me went way different then expected. I originally planned to race road only to train for the MTB. After some good results in the US i was selected for the national team classics block. With that a 3rd place finish at Gent was definitely one of the highlights of the year. I went back home for some more MTB racing only to return to Europe for 2 nations cups, winning the final stage of Trofeo was also a highlight for me. The final part of the season kicked off with US nationals, I was able to win the XC, Short track and road race, again the big highlight of the season for me. The worlds was rather disappointing personally but the US team road a great race to put guys top 10. 

For 2019 I’d like to have a good spring, try and keep my title on the road, and then do a good result at the worlds. With that, the biggest goal of the entire year is to earn a spot on a good Europe based u23 program for 2020 so I can continue my development.

Casper Van Uden (2001, Netherlands)

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In 2017 Casper was undoubtedly the most successful u17 rider in Europe winning races in Belgium, Netherlands and prestigious Radjugendtour Oststeiermark where he won two stages and GC. His junior campaign started with a strong fifth place in Bernaudeau Junior before reaching one of the best results of the season which was second place in Ster Van Zuid Limburg and win in young rider classification. Casper continued his successful spring by wining Rund um Düren and Boucles Cyclistes Sud-Avesnois stage race in France after winning the opening time trial. His best results in Nations' Cup event came from Saarland Trofeo where he had a decent ride on each stage which gave him eleventh place in GC and fourth in young rider classification. In second part of the season Casper claimed third in Tour du Condroz, second in queen stage of in Bugey Valromey Tour and fourth in Philippe Gilbert juniors. Looking at the results from uci races only, you may think there were stronger candidates for my list but I'm sure that Casper will improve as a second year junior and win a big race in 2019. Let's wait and see if my feelings were right.

I have asked Casper how he reflects his 2018 season and what are his goals for 2019:

2018 was a hard year for me because of some personal reasons. But I had  a steady season and nine victories. The most important thing of the 2018 season was that I learned loads of things, witch gives me a good feeling for 2019. I hope to ride a steady season, learn loads and get a few wins in the big races in 2019.

Stay tuned for third and final part!

Juniors to watch in 2019 part I

After an off year which is more precisely explained here I'm glad to welcome you back on my blog with annual "Juniors to watch" list just before the season starts.

I've made my list of juniors to watch twice in a past and looking back at mentioned names I can proudly say that I have listed some of the biggest talents in junior category back then who managed to develop into professional riders. Long story short, from ten riders on my 2014 list, eight are racing as professionals right now. The other two were Igor Decreane and Adrien Costa..

The list from 2015 was more tricky as it contains both World Tour level riders (Sivakov, Honoré, Eenkhoorn & Philipsen) together with guys who did not prove their talent (yet?) like Leo Appelt and Anthon Charmig.

What the future brings for riders mentioned below ?

Lewis Askey (Great Britain, 2001)

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Lewis was one of the riders who were an obvious picks for my list. There is no better way to prove your talent then win in a Nations Cup event in junior category. And it's even more obvious if you win Paris Roubaix, decisively the most important one day race in U19 apart from World Champs. Lewis also proved his ability to ride on cobbles in Gent Wevelgem where he was 13th and E3 Harelbeke where he finished fifth. The second part of the season was highlighted by 2nd place in Philippe Gilbert Juniors where Askey showed his skills on more hilly terrain. Lewis is also a successful cyclo- cross rider who has recently won three races of HSBC UK Cyclo-Cross National Trophy Series, silver medal in National Championships and finished third in World Cup in Heusden-Zolder. In 2019 Lewis Askey will be one of the favorites in spring classics and you can expect him to be ready for his home World Champs in Yorkshire.

I have asked Lewis how he reflects his 2018 season and what are his goals for 2019:

My 2018 season was pretty amazing now I look back on it. I always believed I could do well but to win the biggest nations cup of them all wasn’t expected. Coming into that velodrome into deafening crowds and been able to put my hands in the air is something I will never forget. It sends shivers down my spine writing about it here. I had a good spell in the classic season with great legs at Gent Wevelgem even if I only came away with 13th and a 5th at E3 Harelbeke. I love the hard messy races, I don’t like coming to the finish with 100 other people it’s stressful so war of nutrition races like Roubaix suit me. I also managed 2nd place at La Philippe Gilbert. Road worlds was an amazing experience I didn’t come away with the best result (20 something) but I learnt a lot to take to next year. I also had a good season on the UK scene winning Hatherleigh, 2nd in Cicle Classic and 2nd in Road National Championships. In 2019 the big goal is clearly the home world championships. Apart from that, I just want to carry on enjoying riding my bike (I’m only a junior & still at school). I’m hoping to compete in nations cups and have a good classic season. That’s what I enjoy so I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself. Roubaix is going to be a goal, it would be pretty cool to win that twice in a row there’s nothing wrong with giving it a go. And finally Cicle Classic. I got 2nd last year and I loved the race so that would be nice to win as I think is portrays the type of rider I’d like to be!

Enzo Leijnse (2001, Netherlands)

I have spotted Enzo first time in 2017 when he had impressive amount of wins in local races in Netherlands including prestigious Wim Hendriks Trofee and Junior Cycling Tour Assen. He also showed his skills in Tour de Himmelfart, Danish race he clearly loves as he has already managed to win it three times in three different age categories. Most recently, in 2019 as a junior.  Thanks to his versatility and time trial abilities, Enzo gained his best results in stage races. He started well in May finishing twelve in Course de la Paix with second place in youth category behind Antonio Tiberi. The next stop was Saarland Trofeo where he finished sixth in GC and once again second in youth category behind Fredrik Wandahl. After that Enzo won Acht van Bladel thanks to second place in time trial and decent ride on all other stages. The season highlight was clearly Grand Prix Rüebliland, the race which is not a part of Nations Cup but always provide high level of competition and for many riders it's the last test before the Worlds. Leijnse won time trial on third stage and managed to hold on the leaders jersey on the final stage. In 2019 Enzo will continue to ride for WTC De Amstel team and we can expect him to see in the biggest Nations Cup events as a part of national team. General classification win in one of the Nations Cup events is definitely withing his reach. 

Hugo Page (2001, France)

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Hugo Page is another example of rider who had amazing palmares in u17 category (and younger ones, as well) including Trophée Madiot general classification win in 2017 and three titles on track. His transition to junior category went extremely well as he has managed to win his first ever uci rated race in junior category out sprinting his opponents in Bernaudeau Junior. His next stop was Tour des Portes du Pays d'Othe where he managed to win the overall classification thanks to TTT win by his team, BTWIN-AG2R La Mondiale U19. The next French race on his calendar was Tour de Loué-Brulon-Noyen where he managed to win the opening time tria. His sprinting skills gave him a win once again in Tour du Pays de Vaud where he has won a reduced bunch sprint and finished nineth in GC. The second part of the season was quieter one with several solid places including 12th in UEC Juniors Road European Championships on extremely difficult race won by Remco Evenepoel and tenth in season closing Chrono des Nations. In 2019 we can expect Hugo to win some bunch sprints but also to prove his level in more hilly terrain. 

Fredrik Wandahl (2001, Denmark)

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My personal favorite and one of the riders I expect to shine or even dominate junior category in 2019. On paper, there were riders who had a better results as first year junior in  2018 but it was Fredrik who improved steadily for the whole year before his season's best performance in World Championships. As many riders on my list, Fredrik impressed already in u17 category winning Criterium Europeen des Jeunes in dominating style with two solo stage wings and second place right behind his team mate, William Blume Levy on the final stage and, obviously, a GC win. Other notable win was GC in Course de la Paix u17. His first spring as a junior was full of decent results in stage races with 15th place in GC in both Course de la Paix and Cottbuser Junioren-Etappenfahrt. In May Fredrik won two stages of Tour de Himmelfart and finished sixth overall. Saarland Trofeo was the first sign of his big talent as he managed to escape and win the opening stage of the race leaving behind some big names like Wærenskjold, Vacek and Leijnse.  In general classification Fredrik finished fourth and won the young rider jersey. The biggest win of the season came just few weeks later when Fredrik has become the national champion in road race. in July Wandahl finished second in Johan Museeuw Classic after a sprint from elite group which included names like Braet, Hessmann and Mayrhofer. Finally, Wandahl was fifth in Innsbruck where he was the best first year junior on very difficult route against the very best of junior riders of the whole 2018. In 2019 I expect Wandahl to win at least one Nations Cup event and continue to prove that Denmark is one of the leading nations in junior category.

I have asked Fredrik how he reflects his 2018 season and what are his goals for 2019:

Last year was a very good season, especially since I was only a first year junior. I had a rough start at the 2018 season, but I continued to motivate myself. 

My best moments from the 2018 season are my First Nations Cup stage victory and winner of the overall youth classification in Saarland Trofeo. My national championship in road race was big me. And my fifth place and best placed 2001 at the junior World Championship in Innsbruck was the biggest result. 

My goals the next season are the classics, but my main goals are Course de la Paix and  World Championships in Yorkshire.

Stay tuned for second part!