“2020” A special year for the Vorarlberg Santic Team!

Who would have thought how the world would turn – and yes, it could also completely change the world of sports. In the 22-year history of Team Vorarlberg-Santic, 2020 will always be worth a look back and an insight.

After a perfect preparation time in Greece, the spring has started quite promisingly. After Colin Stüssi’s eleventh place at the GP Rhodes, the professionals from Vorarlberg finished the overall ranking with three people in the top 12 (Guerin 4th, Stüssi 6th, Thalmann 11th) in the well-filled Rhodes Tour.

The youngsters and the second part of the team were in action in Croatia. In these preparatory races around the coastal town of Porec, these were also very strong. The top riders from Greece were also called up for the Istria Spring Trophy. The journey still worked. But only to go to Croatia to turn around there. The corona pandemic has now also dropped the barriers to cycling – like step by step across the world!

Back to the start!

The longest preparation time of all professional cyclists in the direction and hopes and fears for the restart was a acid test for everyone. Days, weeks and months passed. The professionals trained in the blue. Nobody knew when it would start again. It was a balancing act of motivation and cleverness to first assess this situation for real, and consequently to master it. The good communication in the team was very valuable here in order to be able to bridge the new start a little better.

RESTART 2.0. A major project by the Vorarlberg Santic and Studio K19 teams: “Austria turns the wheel”!

The innovative companies Pro Event Cycling Sports GmbH, around the Vorarlberg Santic team and the K19 studio and broadcaster, then set a milestone in the history of cycling. Within a few weeks, these two companies initiate the Austria-wide TV road show “Austria is turning the wheel”. In order to shorten the upcoming restart for partners, sponsors, organizers of events in Austria and many cycling fans, an unprecedented live TV broadcast will follow in a new setting!

From July 2nd to 10th, Team Vorarlberg Santic Profi Max Kuen and Friends will present the most beautiful and sporty facets of Austria. The format was found in a trip across Austria. From Lake Neusiedl to Lake Constance. Through all 9 federal states – 4 hours of live broadcast per day. Over 160 prominent guests from sport, business and culture were guests in the mobile live studio of the respective destination of the stage. These 9 days were not classic races – it was rather the presentation of cycling in all its breadth and diversity. In the foreground are the tourism destinations, organizers of major events, business enterprises, culture enthusiasts, athletes from all areas, and above all the regions.

Hard and Harder Challenge 2020!

With this challenge, the restart for the competition season was properly ushered in. The best climbers of today (also from the World Tour) were chosen in the individual time trials as part of “Austria turns the wheels” on the Großglockner, Kitzbühler Horn and Rettenbach glaciers. With Roland Thalmann, a Vorarlberg Pro team also made it to the podium (3rd) on the eternal ice in the Ötztal.

Due to the very broad medialization of “Austria is turning the wheel”, an unbelievable contact value of over 5.6 million (!!) was achieved!

Roland Thalmann opened the “real” competition season part II with second place at the Swiss Mountain Championships. After the GP Kranj (SLO) already the first highlight with the Tour de Savoie Mont Blanc in France. And yes – the Vorarlberg Santic team dominated this difficult tour right from the start. If it weren’t for the outstanding Pierre Roland (B & B Hotels). Roland (then also super strong on the Tour de France) wins the overall standings ahead of his compatriot and Vorarlberg newcomer Alexis Guerin. The Vorarlberger Pro`s showed no inhibitions about the mountains and certainly not about the big names. How you know them.

A ride into other spheres “Race Around Austria”!

The Corona year not only brought setbacks due to the many circumstances with PCR tests before the races and other restrictions. The appearance of the first professional cycling team at an ultra cycling marathon was a surprise. “Vorarlberg Santic is on the hunt for the track record at the toughest race in Europe – the RAA!”

Daniel Geismayr (AUT), Felix Meo (NZL), Jack Burke (CAN) and Johannes Schinnagel (GER) were called up for this biggest challenge in team history. Non-stop through day and night at the external border around Austria. Over 2200 kilometers and 30,000 meters in altitude. The record hunt lasts exactly 564 kilometers after an intensive preparation period. They had already made up for the deficit during the night and were on record course when Felix Meo was practically shot down by a car-driver at 80 km / h. And the story was over! It’s a shame, but we haven’t given up on this undertaking for the future😊!

Daniel Federspiel’s complete collection of state championship medals!

Raphael Kockelmann showed his talent with second place at the time trial championships in Luxembourg. Two days later, however, this medal outshone Daniel Federspiel with the vice-national title on the road. A great performance of the former UCI MTB Eliminator World Champion. In January he became national cross champion, and in autumn he finished third in the MTB cross-country championships, his crowning glory to the 2020 season.

Claudio Imhof and Roland Thalmann represented the team’s colors at the Cycling European Championships. Thalmann showed his skills here with 22nd place. Very pleasing on the one hand the invitation to the Tour de Hongrie, on the other hand the super strong performance. Thalmann is third in the overall mountain ranking. With stage rank eight on the last stage, Alexis Guerin ensures overall rank seven in the final – in the midst of all the World Tour team riders on this tour of Hungary. Watched all stages on Live Eurosport.

After the Tour de Doubs in France, the next wild card went to the Skoda Tour Luxembourg. Meiler, Stüssi, Schinnagel u. Co. does not hide its ambitions among the 10 World Tour teams. Stüssi had bad luck with a fall on stage one, but the Vorarlbergers were represented in many groups. Thalmann is a strong overall 16. Everything is also live on Eurosport and a good job from the riders.

At the home race at the GP Vorarlberg in Nenzing, Alexis Guerin’s long journey was also worth it. He finished third in the super-fast individual time trial over 45 kilometers. Lukas Meiler sets his exclamation mark with second place at the German mountain championships.

Crowning finale in Italy at the 56th Giro della Regione Friulli!

What an appearance it was in the last race of the season. Only the Norwegian Pro Continental Team Uno-X stood in the way of the tour victory. Alexis Guerin fixed second place in the overall standings after several top placings on the stages. Max Kuen wins the points classification. The team is also overall runner-up in the team classification and mountain classification among 30 professional teams.

A cycling team in the FIS AUDI Ski World Cup?

At the FIS AUDI Ski World Cup held a few days ago in Lech / Zürs (AUT), Pro Event Cycling Sports GmbH was also part of the ORGA team. The bike management team was responsible for the organization and communication of the helpers for this floodlit night race. A nice experience!

The highlights of the 2020 season in the rearview mirror!

• 1st place Austrian national championship cyclo-cross
• 2nd overall Giro della Regione Friuli
• 2nd overall Le Tour de Savoie Mont Blanc
• 2nd place Austrian State Championship Road
• 3rd place Austrian State Championships MTB Cross Country
• Numerous podium places in special classifications (mountain, sprint, team)
• 20 podium places
• 46 top ten results

 Facts Team Vorarlberg Santic:

• 1999 founded
• 17 pro riders
• 14 supervisors / helpers
• Status of the UCI World Association “UCI Continental Europe Tour”
• Austria’s best team in the UCI world rankings

 In summary, this successful and yet very special season for the Vorarlberg Santic team in its 22-year history can be noted as more than successful. Another result of a very strong team spirit and professional work behind the scenes. Being creative and innovative, especially in difficult times, has strengthened the team internally and externally.

 “SPONSORING with the Vorarlberg Santic team” a successful investment!

The Vorarlberg Santic team is grateful and equally proud of their partners! Many sponsors have been on board for many years. During this time, many sporting ups and downs were overcome. For us, the most important basic values ​​of mutual respect and successful “togetherness” are in the foreground. Also in not easy times! MANY THANKS TO ALL PARTNERS OF TEAM VORARLBERG SANTIC!!!

 A big “THANK YOU” to the entire TEAM VORARLBERG SANTIC!

This doesn’t just include the professionals. The most successful team in Austria can rely on a great team of supervisors, staff, including an office. THANK YOU! It was a difficult but cool season with YOU!

 Medialization! Team Vorarlberg Santic always in words, sounds and pictures!

No matter how great the results, the athletes can create a sensation. It is fundamentally important to report on them accordingly, which also happened on a large scale this year. The Vorarlberg Santic team has been known for many years as an aggressive and professionally run team that has earned a permanent place in the top teams. We haven’t had a higher advertising value than in this difficult year. The numerous actions during the Corona break have had an effect.

A big thank you goes to the press and media representatives from near and far!

 Team Vorarlberg 2021 strong and present as ever!

The roster for the coming year is currently being completed. The roster will be announced in the next few days. First of all – we will bring a very broad and strong team to the start!

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Stay active and healthy!