Photo credit cover: Dragos Dumitru

Season review 2021 – Team Vorarlberg as successful as ever in the 23rd year and always ready for new challenges!

With the Tour de Vendée in France, Team Vorarlberg ended a very varied but consistently successful season on October 9^th. The predictions at the start of the new racing season were not exactly easy. Numerous ambiguities and question marks were reflected not only in the race calendar, but also in terms of material, due to the Corona Pandemic.

And yet, in retrospect, the high level of commitment shown by the team office, the sporting management and the technical department of the professional team, made a real difference. In times like these, it is outstanding for a team to be at the start at more than 100, consistently high-quality race days, at such a high standard.

The large squad of 17 riders was presented to the public in February. Daniel Federspiel made a strong start with a gold medal at the national championships in cyclo-cross in mid-January. Werner Salmen, the team’s sports director, spoke of a broad-based squad. This was already evident at the start of the season with Filippo Fortin’s stage win in the second stage of the Istria Spring Trophy UCI 2.2 in Croatia.

 

New races in the program!

Overall, it was a very varied year with a state number of new engagements in various countries. New in the program among others the Sibiu Cycling Tour UCI 2.1, Tour de la Mirabelle (FRA) UCI 2.2, Cro Race Croatia Tour UCI 2.1, Mercan Tour Classic (FRA) UCI 1.1, etc..

In sports one is not only measured by successes, but also by the entire appearance of the team as such – this in responsibility for the partners and sponsors of each team. Team Vorarlberg has been very consistent in international professional cycling for many years. Austria’s most successful team in the UCI world rankings is accompanied by a staff of proffessionals throughout the year. The material and equipment partners guarantee a uniform and consistent image.

Parallel to this, active press and marketing work is being made, in order to convey important values to the public and the supporters, in addition to the successes and results.

True to the claim: “Service is our success!”

 

Team Vorarlberg – quite a challenging opponent!

Coupled with the results in high-profile races against the “big” World Tour Teams, the highest category in bike racing. Yes – Team Vorarlberg may not always be seen at the start by many of these teams, because Guerin, Thalmann, Meiler & Co. are known not to wait for an attack from the competition. They usually go on the offensive themselves. A recipe for success for many years of the “Squadra” from Rankweil.

The accompanying issues surrounding the Corona pandemic were certainly difficult and, above all, new for all teams. Non-stop testing, the sheer unbelievable bureaucracy, everything new to the professional circus – one could gladly do without. For the UCI Continental teams, this is an enormous challenge. This will remain for the teams in the future, it seems. But still – we were allowed to practice our sport almost continuously.

With Alexis Guerin and Roland Thalmann, we had two real guarantors of success in the ranks in 2021. Guerin won four UCI races and was one of the most successful professionals in France. Thalmann was called up to the Swiss national team several times, including for the Tour de Suisse. From the Numerous top results shines especially the overall victory of Guerin at the Int. Oberösterreich Rundfahrt. He prevailed after a gripping final against Riccardo Zoidl, who himself will fight for victories in 2022 in the Vorarlberg jersey. Likewise the prestigious team appearance at the Tour de Savoie Mont Blanc UCI 2.2, with the stage victory at La Toussuire, as well as second place overall by Guerin.

 

Unity = TEAM Vorarlberg!

Team Vorarlberg also had to accept numerous setbacks during the season – some of them due to serious crashes. These are part of bike racing every year, but have recently been fueled more by the switch to disc brakes.

Especially at the big tours, which were all occupied by World Tour teams and Pro Continental teams, Team Vorarlberg showed their passion for the sport again and again. On Eurosport, as well as other TV and Internet platforms, the presenters very often mentioned and highlighted the team as they raced. The decisive factor is the team unity on the one hand and the attractive, aggressive riding style and high-quality materials from partners on the other. A not insignificant factor, in order to not only be able to finish races successfully, but above all to ride safely!

 

Race Around Austria 2021 – Team Vorarlberg with new course record and victory at the toughest individual time trial in Europe!

Unbelievable 2 days 12 hours 20 minutes – this is the new record, which has to be beaten by the competition in the coming years. Never before has anyone ridden a bike non-stop faster around the outer border of Austria! The young Team Vorarlberg 4-person setup with Daniel Ganahl, Maximilian Kuen, Nikolas Riegler and guest rider Peter Inauen not only rocked this extreme challenge as a sporting tour de force, but also with top support in the background. Like clockwork they reeled off the 2,200 kilometers and 30,000 meters of altitude. In the end, an hourly average of 35.94 km/h stands in the history books of the RAA! Another sporting milestone in the team’s history.

 

Record-breaking GP Vorarlberg 2021!

As host and organizer of the 10th GP Vorarlberg in Nenzing, Pro Event Cycling Sports GmbH was responsible from the beginning. Never before has the field of participants been as large as at this years event. 300 (!!) registrations in the elite class – 196 starters were admitted. Team Vorarlberg dominated the race with the Devo Team from Jumbo-Visma, but finally had to concede victory to the Dutch.

 

Ambitious season finale in Croatia!

With great joy the team accepted the invitation to the “Cro Race” UCI 2.1 in October to compete against Jumbo-Visma, Bahrain-Victorios, Bike-Exchange and Israel-Startup. This year’s Tour of Croatia was broadcast live for six days on Eurosport. Constantly in the picture the riders of Team Vorarlberg. Rank four in the overall team standings; ranks seven (Thalmann), as well as ten (Guerin) are self-evident. In the final standings, by far the strongest Continental team in the Tour.

 

The highlights of the 2021 season in the rearview mirror!

• 1st place Austrian National Cross Country Championship
• 14 victories
• 11 x rank 2
• 9 x rank 3
• Numerous podium places in special classifications (mountain, sprint, team)
• 498 UCI points
• 12th overall place annual ranking UCI Europe Tour
• 15th overall place annual ranking UCI Continental Tour (180 teams)
• Numerous top ten placements

Team Vorarlberg Facts

• 1999 Foundation 
• 17 riders
• 14 staff / helpers
• Status UCI World Federation “UCI Continental Europe Tour”
• Most successful team in Austria in the UCI World Rankings

Finally and to sum it up – a great and “prestigious” season for Team Vorarlberg!

 

“SPONSORING Team Vorarlberg” a successful investment!

Team Vorarlberg is grateful and equally proud of their partners! Numerous sponsers have been on board for many years now. During this time many sporty heights and depths were overcome. In the foreground for us are above all the important basic values of mutual appreciation and the successful “togetherness”.

 

A heartfelt “THANK YOU” to the entire TEAM VORARLBERG!

This does not only include the professionals. The most successful Austrian equipe can rely on a great support crew, including the office. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU for the commitment!

 

Team Vorarlberg 2022 – going strong like never before to the tours?

Currently we are working very intensively on the final setup of the squad. And yes – with Riccardo Zoidl, a long-time, Austrian dream rider signed up for 2022. The strong core of the team is to be kept. Team Vorarlberg will most definitely be ready for great sporting challenges in the coming season.

The entire team would like to thank the press and media for their coverage of the past season. Equally to all partners and sponsors, as well as all supporters around the team.

“Keep on riding!”