Cycling: On Tuesday morning our time, the Tour Down Under starts with the first stage. But even today, the criterium traditionally takes place before the tour. Even before the Schwalbe Classic, Jonasutsch told us about the impressions he had collected so far. The 21-year-old German has been driving for the US team EF since this season. Wearing pink, he'll have his first WorldTour experience in Australia - and thanks to his race diary, we'll be right there!
Jonasrutsch: "Informal and professional"
I just got back from our pre-criterium ride. So far everything is going well. The criterion starts tonight at 18:45 local time (09:15 CEST). Then we have a day off before we really get going. For six days: head down and attack!
I'm really fit. I was at the team training camp from December 12th to 20th before I flew home again and was able to stay at home for a few days until Christmas. From December 27th I was constantly on the move. I rented an apartment in Girona with buddies and did my training there to prepare for the season. After my private training camp, I flew to Australia on January 9th. The first few days were a bit tough because of the jet lag. But all in all I can say that the flight was good and I took it well.
Overall, of course, there was a lot that was new for me in the past few weeks. But I was very well received by the team and my teammates. Everyone is very nice. It's a family atmosphere, but at the same time everything seems very professional and I'm having a lot of fun. You can work well in such an environment. Also, I got through the winter without major injuries and according to my trainer, I'm exactly where I should be at this point. I'm currently being coached by Ken Vanmarcke, Sep Vanmarcke's brother. Everything is going very well.
Jonasrutsch: "Get up to speed and position well"
I landed here in Australia on January 10th. Then we trained a little together with the team that we're competing with here. Specifically, we practiced the lead-out train. I will take on a role as a starter for our sprinter Kristoffer Halvorsen. He's our sprinter here. In the general standings we will see that we can make a difference with Neilson Powless.
As part of the lead out, I'll get the train up to speed and position it well. I have to make sure Kristoffer has a clear path. Behind me is a true legend at the start. Mitch Docker - the local hero so to speak - will conduct me. The preparations have already gone very well. Because according to my colleagues I have enough power. But first it's just about finding each other. We will try that directly in the criterion. And then hopefully it will also work well on the sprint stages during the tour. Let's see where it leads.
Jonasrutsch: "Develop in the direction of classic drivers"
Personally, I want to break into the WorldTour circus and learn fast. I want to fulfill my tasks and support my teammates in the best possible way. After the Tour Down Under, the team planned more races for me. I'm doing the full program here. The Herald Sun Tour, the Torquay Race and the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race follow. In the long term, the team has a plan to develop me into a classic driver – and that's exactly where I want to be. Hopefully things will be fine.
Your Jonas!
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