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.