Team Stuttgart is equipped with a professional license for the first time this year and has already made some solid appearances in its debut year in the elite of cycling. A week ago, the young team competed at Rund um Köln for the first time. We were there with the camera.
The team arrived the evening before the race. The organizer had arranged for the overnight stay in the Lindner Hotel BayArena in Leverkusen in advance.
#1 So that the drivers and supervisors can find their way around the hotel...
#2 Pro cycling also means that the suitcase is a constant companion. Order is half the life.
#3 Race preparations begin the night before...
#4 …pinning the start numbers.
#5 The race day begins with an extensive breakfast.
#6 Abundance is key when it comes to replenishing power reserves.
#7 The last actions before departure…
#8 The lift takes you to the team vehicles.
#9 The Stuttgart team drew number 1 the day before and can therefore be happy about the best place in the convoy.
#10 Martin Reinert is ready for the descent.
#11 The bikes are lined up for the race at the starting point in Hückeswagen.
#12 Shortly after the start, Florian Nowak suffers a defect...
#13 ...but he can quickly work his way back into the field.
#14 Australia's Jack Cummings started the race just as excitingly. He was stopped by a fall...
#15 Just before the Agathaberg he made the connection to the field. Here, however, drivers who had problems with the extreme incline slowed him down.
#16 In the car, sport director Luc Schuddinck and team manager Julian Rammler keep an eye on everything.
#17 Preparation is everything.
#18 The field has broken up into several groups. Tino Thömel gets instructions.
#19 With pressure it goes towards Cologne. A large part of the team is still at the top.
#20 The driveway to Bensberg Castle is lined with numerous spectators.
#21 The cathedral signals that Cologne has been reached.
#22 Nikodemus Holler and Martin Reinert remain vigilant as the big teams try to bring back the three breakaways.
#23 On the right side of the road, Alexander Krieger finally sprints to a very good sixth place, considering that he was slowed down earlier.
#24 Around Cologne is exhausting...
#25 ...you can see that in the drivers after the race.