News
8 November 2005 Four Dutch talents complete Skil-Shimano team3 November 2005 Dutch cycle manufacturer once again sponsoring a top racing team
1 November 2005 German talents choose for Skil-Shimano team
26 October 2005 German René Weissinger joins Skil-Shimano team in 2006
24 October 2005 Vierhouten and Tjallingii sign for Skil-Shimano
21 October 2005 Rik Reinerink renews his contract
20 October 2005 Rudie Kemna becomes sports director of the Skil-Shimano team
18 October 2005 Skil new main sponsor of Skil-Shimano pro cycling team
14 September 2005 Stefan Schumacher cleared from guilt in violation of doping regulation
4 September 2005 Shimano “Suzuka” Road Event great success; Rik Reinerink back in the front
18 July 2005 Rudie Kemna takes off for the final months of his career as a rider
27 June 2005 Stefan Schumacher preliminarily suspended
26 June 2005 Rudie Kemna nr. 5 in Dutch National Championships
25 June 2005 Hidenori Nodera Japanese Champion
18 June 2005 Third stage race victory for Shimano-Memory Corp team
25 May 2005 UCI Europe Tour leader’s jersey for Stefan Schumacher
22 May 2005 Tomoya Kano strong in Tour of Japan
15 May 2005 Stefan Schumacher wins second stage race this year
14 May 2005 Stefan Schumacher shows excellent condition by winning the time trial too
13 May 2005 Hattrick by Stefan Schumacher in Rheinland-Pfalz Rundfahrt
12 May 2005 Back-to-back victory Stefan Schumacher in Rheinland-Pfalz Rundfahrt
11 May 2005 Stefan Schumacher wins first stage in Rheinland-Pfalz Rundfahrt
24 April 2005 Stefan Schumacher wins Internationale Niedersachsen-Rundfahrt
17 April 2005 Good performance Shimano - Memory Corp in Amstel Gold Race
15 March 2005 Shimano - Memory Corp in Amstel Gold Race
8 November 2005
Four Dutch talents complete Skil-Shimano team
The Skil-Shimano professional cycling team has signed four talented Dutch riders who will start their professional careers in 2006. Current National Champion in the ‘espoir’ category (-23) Sebastian Langeveld has signed for two years. Kenny van Hummel, Piet Rooijakkers and Arno Wallaard each signed for one year.Sebastian Langeveld:
Besides the victory at the National Championships this year, the only 20-years-old rider won a stage in Olympia’s Tour. Langeveld also achieved good results in -23 editions of Ronde van Vlaanderen (2nd) and Paris-Roubaix (7th) which shows his talent for classic races.
Kenny van Hummel:
23-Years-old Kenny van Hummel’s speciality is sprinting. Thanks to his sprint he became Dutch National Champion Elite without Contract in 2005. In this combined race for professional riders and elite riders without contract he sprinted to a fourth place behind three pro riders. Van Hummel also won the sprinters’ jersey in this year’s Olympia’s Tour and he won five other races.
Piet Rooijakkers:
Rooijakkers (25-years-old) is an all-round rider which is reflected by his ninth place among many pro riders in the final ranking of this year’s Ster Elektrotoer. His all-round capabilities are also shown by this year’s victories in different type of races: the final stage in Olympia’s Tour, the time trial in Ronde van Midden-Brabant, the classic race Woudenomloop Friesland and a Belgian criterium race.
Arno Wallaard:
National Champion ‘espoirs’ 2001 Arno Wallaard is an all-round rider with a good sprint. Wallaard (26-years-old) achieved many honourable results in 2005 among which victories in three classic races: Ronde van Overijssel, Omloop van Schokland and GP Eau Minerale de Beckerich in Luxemburg. Beside he achieved three second places in Olympia’s Tour and he finished as second Elite rider without contract (7th overall) at the Dutch National Championships.
With the addition of these four riders, the share of European riders in the team roster is complete. The other Europeans are: Paul Martens (GER), Christoph Meschenmoser (GER), Rik Reinerink (NED), Maarten Tjallingii (NED), Aart Vierhouten (NED) and René Weissinger (GER). The European part of the team will be completed by several Asian riders with amongst onthers who Japanese National Champion Hidenori Nodera.
3 November 2005
Dutch cycle manufacturer once again sponsoring a top racing team
Dutch cycle manufacturer Koga will from 1st January 2006 be the new equipment sponsor for the Skil-Shimano Pro-Continental cycle racing team. So, after an absence of some years, once again a Dutch bicycle brand has returned to the very top level of road racing.Koga will shortly be equipping Arend Scheppink and Iwan Spekenbrink's new team with top class, ultra-light FullPro-Scandium and RoadRacer special edition framesets featuring the team's striking graphics. According to Dipl.-Ing. Wouter Jager, Koga's Managing Director: "The time has come for Koga's re-entry into the highest level of men's road racing. This will be a fantastic comeback!"
Their fellow sponsors reacted enthusiastically to the recent sponsorship agreement: "We very much value the chance to work with internationally-minded colleagues who make high-quality products and who simply exude class. Koga is a perfect partner", says Gerhard Kobesen, President of Skil Power Tools. "Koga combines the concepts of 'quality' and 'innovation', both of which are also highly esteeemed at Shimano. For this reason, it goes without saying that we are fully behind this partnership", adds Hennie Stamsnijder, Shimano's Sports Marketing Manager.
The team management is also enthusiastic about the new partnership with Koga - not least because Koga will actively involve the team in its research and development activities to develop new cycle frames. “We particularly enjoy such close professional collaboration”, explained the team management.
This new sponsorship deal marks a return to familiar ground for Koga. Since its founding in 1974, sponsorship of professional road racing has played a key role in the company's history. Among the most famous success stories are the stage win by Peter Winnen on the Alpe d’Huez (Tour 1982) and overall victory in the Tour Féminin by star cycling athlete Leontien Zijlaard-Van Moorsel.
The new road-racing deal with Skil–Shimano is the final crowning element for the cycle manufacturer in its sponsorship of cycle sport. For some time Koga has been the official sponsor of athletes from the Netherlands national track racing squad, with Theo Bos as the top rider. The brand is also active in women's racing, with the remarkable athlete Leontien Zijlaard-Van Moorsel as the most famous example.
1 November 2005
German talents choose for Skil-Shimano team
Two young German cycling talents have decided to start their professional careers in the Skil-Shimano team. Paul Martens (22 years old) signed a two-year contract and Christoph Meschenmoser (22 years old) signed for one year. Martens and Meschenmoser, who are considered to be among the most talented German riders of their age, chose for this team because the development of young, talented riders is an important element of the team’s strategy. Both riders made a good impression when riding as trainees in German Pro Tour teams in the final part of the 2005 season. Having good skills for time trials and performing well in climbing, Martens and Meschenmoser could develop into promising riders for stage races.Paul Martens is German National Champion Time Trial in the espoirs-category (-23 years). Although he is especially considered to be a time trial specialist, Martens also won the 2005-edition of the ‘Radbundesliga’, a national league of races for -23 riders. Besides, he won one of the most difficult races of this league: the Harzrundfahrt.
Christoph Meschenmoser became World Champion Individual Pursuit on the track in the junior-category in 2001. After a severe crash at the end of the 2003 season, he needed almost a year to recover from his injuries before he could make his come-back. Once back on his bike, Meschenmoser quickly showed his talent again: in 2005 he finished on the 14th spot in the general classification of the Internationale Niedersachsen-Rundfahrt, a German stage race for professional riders.
The addition of two more German riders beside René Weissinger in next year’s team roster fits very well in the team’s plans to expand to a more international team. The team is planning for a race program with a substantial share of German races to cover its German interests.
26 October 2005
German René Weissinger joins Skil-Shimano team in 2006
Next year’s Skil-Shimano Pro Continental team will be reinforced with German René Weissinger. Weissinger and the team reached an agreement for one year. The 26-year old rider is currently part of the Austrian Volksbank team.After having been successful in his early years as a rider followed by a successful period as ‘under 23’ rider, Weissinger took a break in order to follow and complete a study and become ‘Mechanical Engineer’. After finishing his study he returned to cycling two years ago. During the last two years Weissinger showed that he is an all-round rider with good skills on the hills and in a sprint with a smaller group. He achieved seven victories in 2005, with amongst others a victory in the Swiss race Berner Rundfahrt. Besides, he scored several honourable results like a third place in a stage in the Italian stage race Settimana Bergamasca, a tenth place in the Southern-German race G.P. Schwarzwald and a seventh place at the German National Championships in Mannheim.
Signing this German rider fits very well in the team’s strategy for an international line-up and international activities.
The team intends to sign some more Dutch and foreign riders for the coming season.
24 October 2005
Vierhouten and Tjallingii sign for Skil-Shimano
After having appointed Rudie Kemna as sports director and having renewed Rik Reinerink’s contract for the coming season, the team today signed two new riders for 2006: Aart Vierhouten and Maarten Tjallingii (both Dutch).Aart Vierhouten:
35-Years-old Aart Vierhouten will move from the Belgium Pro Tour team Davitamon-Lotto to Skil-Shimano. He is destined to become the team captain in the classic races. Team management and the sports directors expect that Vierhouten will be able to play a dominant role in several classics. His long-time experience at the highest level of international cycling will be an additional value for the team. He can guide the younger riders of the team and he will be the extension of the sports directors in the races.
Being a pro rider for ten years now, Aart Vierhouten is still very motivated to be of value in his new role. “Both physically and mentally I am in a good form which gives me the confidence to try and go out there chasing good results in attractive races. Besides, I want to share my experience with the team’s younger riders and try to play a valuable role in their development.”
During his career Aart Vierhouten took part in 10 big tours (3 times Tour de France, 3 times Vuelta a Espana and 4 times Giro d’Italia), 6 World Championships on the road and the Olympic road race in Atlanta in 1996.
Maarten Tjallingii:
At the age of 27 Maarten Tjallingii will make the switch from his mountainbike to a road racing bike. Being a successful mountainbiker in The Netherlands, Tjallingii sees his dream come true with his move to the Skil-Shimano Pro Continental team. The team’s sports directors believe that it possible for Tjallingii to make substantial progress in his road racing performances. They expect that Tjallingii will develop into an all-round rider who can perform well at many different races.
Although having achieved good results in mountainbike races (2nd and 4th at the National Championships in 2004 and 2005; top 20 results in World Cup races in 2004 and 2005; top 5 results in the World Cup marathon in 2005) and in cyclo-cross races (5th at the National Championships in 2005), his good results on the sporadic occasions that he took part in road events give Tjallingii the confidence to make this move to road racing. Tjallingii won for example the Tour du Faso in 2003 and he finished 5th in the general classification of the Tour of Qatar in 2005.
21 October 2005
Rik Reinerink renews his contract
32 Years-old Rik Reinerink (The Netherlands) has reached an agreement with the management of his team to extend his stay with the team with one year. This means that Reinerink will ride in the colours of the Skil-Shimano team in 2006.After having suffered from an injury with his gallbladder in the first half of this season, he made a strong come-back after the summer. Reinerink achieved good results in Tour de Rijke-Beneden Maas (3rd), G.P. Stad Zottegem / Dr. Tistaertprijs (8th), Delta Ronde van Midden Zeeland (5th), Nationale Sluitingsprijs - Putte-Kapelle (10th) and in stages in the International Hessen-Rundfahrt where he finished 8th and 9th. Beside, he won the local race in Vichte in Belgium.
20 October 2005
Rudie Kemna becomes sports director of the Skil-Shimano team
Current Shimano-Memory Corp rider Rudie Kemna has reached an agreement with his team to change his bike for a place in the team car and become a sports director as of the beginning of next season. Piet Hoekstra, Hisafumi Imanishi (Japan) and Kemna will be the sports directors of the Skil-Shimano team in 2006.Last July, 38-years-old Rudie Kemna announced that he would retire as a rider at the end of the current season. At that time the Dutch National Champion on the road of 2003 already expressed his ambitions to stay active in professional cycling, preferably as a sports director. The team management is pleased to have reached an agreement with Kemna. His experience in professional cycling, the dedication for his job and the fact that he is a ‘team player’ make Kemna the logical candidate for strengthening the team’s staff.
Just having finished his last race as a pro rider in a special race in Groenlo, The Netherlands, last Sunday, Rudie Kemna is already looking forward to his new job. “Becoming a sports director means the start of a new career and I definitely want to proof myself in this profession as well. I consider it a big challenge to work with the riders on an individual basis to improve their level and make the selection of riders function as a united and successful team at the same time.”
Although he will make his official debut as a sports director in 2006, Rudie Kemna will start in his new role as of today. He is closely involved in composing the selection of riders for the coming season.
18 October 2005
Skil new main sponsor of Skil-Shimano pro cycling team
Skil, manufacturer of portable power tools, will be the new main sponsor of the Skil-Shimano Pro Continental cycling team from 1 January 2006. The team expects to present some additions in the near future, including a number of international riders.Skil and Cycling Promotion Nederland have reached agreement for Skil to act as main sponsor of this Pro Continental cycling team, to further strengthen the exposure of its brand and products. The contract has initially been signed for one year, although both parties intend to continue their partnership for a multi-year period.
The brand is continuing its cycling sponsorship with the Skil-Shimano team. “We aim to generate professional support for our international promotional activities with this sponsorship”, says Skil's President Gerhard Kobesen. “This move into the Pro Continental division gives us the opportunity to gain visibility with the team in major international events, and to underline the dynamic image of the Skil brand.”
According to the team managers Arend Scheppink and Iwan Spekenbrink, the contracting of a second major international sponsor alongside Shimano will give the team a new impulse. “The team will be able to put in more international appearances, and we will be able to strengthen our selection of riders”, Arend Scheppink explains. A number of riders, both Dutch and international, will be added to the team. “The most important pillars of the team's strategy an international presence and the coaching of cycling talent remain in force and can now be developed further”, adds Iwan Spekenbrink.
Shimano, the Japanese manufacturer of cycle components, is delighted with the agreement that has been reached between Skil and the team. “We are pleased to see the confidence that Skil is showing in the team and its partners”, says Hennie Stamsnijder, Sports Marketing manager of Shimano. “The partnership with Skil will enable the team to broaden its European activities and to continue the Asian program. It also ensures that the development of young talent will be able to continue next year. Now that the basis has been laid, both riders and team management can focus their full attention on preparing for next season.”
14 September 2005
Stefan Schumacher cleared from guilt in violation of doping regulation
The sports tribunal of the German cycling federation Bund Deutsche Radfahrer (BDR) has cleared professional cyclist Stefan Schumacher from guilt in a doping offence. The BDR announced three months ago a doping suspicion as a consequence of a doping test taken by Schumacher after the fourth stage of the Rheinland-Pfalz Rundfahrt. It concerned the product Cathine.A suspension in accordance with Art. 264 sentence 1 of the UCI Anti-doping regulation will not be inflicted to Stefan Schumacher because he can not be blamed for guilt in violating the doping regulation.
In accordance with Art. 259 of the Anti-doping regulation of the UCI, Schumacher will not be disqualified in the Rheinland-Pfalz Rundfahrt. The time realised by Schumacher in the fourth stage will be increased with one percent (1 min. 33 sec.). As a consequence Schumacher will loose the stage win (he will now be positioned on the ninth spot) and the general classification in which he will now be placed on the third spot.
The BDR's announcement means that Stefan Schumacher - who was suspended by the Shimano-Memory Corp team - is entitled to participate in races again. He is expected to return to racing soon.
4 September 2005
Shimano “Suzuka” Road Event great success; Rik Reinerink back in the front
Last week, both European and Japanese riders were active on two continents. In Germany, the team took part in the Internationale Hessen-Rundfaht. In Japan, the Shimano “Suzuka” Road Race was on the program.Japanese riders Masahiro Shinagawa, Yukihiro Doi and Japanese National Champion Hidenori Nodera and European riders Laurens ten Dam and Rik Reinerink took part in the Internationale Hessen-Rundfahrt. The Japanese riders have shown a good progress since their return in Europe end of July after a short stay in their home country, which was also confirmed in this German stage race. The three Japanese riders could relatively ‘easily’ complete the race which gave them the confidence to try and take the initiative in the race on certain moments.
It’s not only the progress of the Japanese riders which draws the attention of the other riders and the spectators… Hidenori Nodera wearing his National Championship’s jersey also attracts a lot of attention during the races. This outfit - a special design made by Shimano’s Ton van Tuyl and Taizo Kamiya - is often referred to as one of the most beautiful outfits by many riders in the peloton.
Hidenori Nodera
The return of Rik Reinerink - after an absence of several months due to constant pain caused by his milt - certainly had a good effect on the team. Rik Reinerink quickly reached a high level again which led to several close results in one day races and in the Internationale Hessen-Rundfahrt. After suffering from a heavy crash in the Dutch classic race Tour de Rijke - Beneden Maas, Eelke van der Wal has not yet returned to racing. He will probably start in this week’s classic race Mémorial Rik van Steenbergen - Aartselaar (Belgium).
European riders Marco Bos, Alain van Katwijk, Rudie Kemna and Julien Smink completed the Japanese part of the team for the Shimano “Suzuka” Road Race on the Japanese Formula 1 circuit of Suzuka. This race is part of a great and very well organized two-day event. Goal of the event is to promote cycling in Japan. The event has already been organized by Shimano for over twenty years and during this period of time it has grown bigger and bigger. Over 10,000 cyclists took part in this year’s edition!
During the race on the Suzuka circuit the Japanese and European riders of the team showed great teamwork which led to the victory! Japanese rider Masamichi Yamamoto crossed the finish line in first position before his team mates Rudie Kemna and Alain van Katwijk. Kaoru Ouchi completed the success by finishing on fifth position.
18 July 2005
Rudie Kemna takes off for the final months of his career as a rider
For Rudie Kemna (The Netherlands) 2005 is the year of the retirement as a professional rider. Kemna has taken a well-considered decision that at the end of the current season is a good time to retire as a rider. In the coming weeks and months he will take the start in the Sachsen-Tour International (Germany) and the Pro Tour stage-race Eneco Tour as well as in several Dutch and Belgian one-day races.The 37-year-old rider from Deurningen in the eastern part of The Netherlands started his professional career in 1999 in the BankGiroLoterij team, a team to which he stayed loyal till the end of its existence in 2004. In 2005 he rides for the Shimano-Memory Corp team. Kemna achieved over 30 victories as a professional rider. He won stages in Ronde van Nederland (1999), Tour of Poland (2001), Ster Elektotoer (2001, 2002) and in Tour of Rhodos (2003). He also stepped several times on the podium of the Dutch National Championships, a race which was won by Kemna in a bunch sprint in 2003.
Besides being the team’s sprinter, Rudie Kemna this year also is the mentor of the young and talented riders in the Shimano-Memory Corp team. He supports these riders during the races and in training rides and he gives advice to these young riders about living and racing as a professional rider. Also in this role as mentor Kemna is of great value for the team.
In the coming period of time, Rudie Kemna will decide about his future. He has declared to prefer staying active in the world of cycling. He will speak with the management of the Shimano-Memory Corp team about the possibilities to become a member of the staff in the coming year.
27 June 2005
Stefan Schumacher preliminarily suspended
Professional cyclist Stefan Schumacher from Germany is preliminarily suspended by the Shimano-Memory Corp cycling team, in accordance with the Code of Conduct for professional cycling teams. Reason is a doping suspicion by the BDR (Bund Deutsche Radfahrer) as a consequence of a doping test taken by Schumacher in the Rheinland-Pfalz Rundfahrt on May 14th, 2005. It concerns the product Cathine.The team will start a thorough investigation and will react as soon as possible with a further statement.
26 June 2005
Rudie Kemna nr. 5 in Dutch National Championships
Shimano-Memory Corp rider and Dutch National Champion of 2003, Rudie Kemna, finished at the Dutch National Championships in Rotterdam on fifth position.In a race over 216 km Leon van Bon (Davitamon-Lotto) attacked in the final kilometre and finished just in front of the sprinting peloton. Steven de Jongh (Rabobank) and Max van Heeswijk (Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team) finished on second and third position.
The Shimano-Memory Corp team (Marco Bos, Laurens ten Dam, Alain van Katwijk, Rudie Kemna, Julien Smink and Eelke van der Wal) rode an active and good race. In the final two laps the entire team was leading the peloton, chasing the leading riders Michael Boogerd and Koos Moerenhout and placing the team’s sprinter Rudie Kemna in a good position for the peloton sprint. In the peloton sprint Rudie Kemna showed that he is still a fast sprinter although he was slightly disappointed by not finishing on the podium.
25 June 2005
Hidenori Nodera Japanese Champion
Hidenori Nodera of the Shimano-Memory Corp team is the new National Champion of Japan.In a race over 160 km (20 laps of 8 km) on the hilly roads of the Japanese Cycle Sports Centre Circuit in Syuzenji in the Shizuoka area, Nodera attacked after about 100 km together with Yasutaka Tashiro (Team Bridgestone Anchor). Only in the final lap Kazuyuki Manabe (Team Nippo) was able to close the gap with the two leaders. The uphill sprint to the finish line was won by Hidenori Nodera before Yasutaka Tashiro (at 1 second) and Kazuyuki Manabe (at 11 seconds).
Only fifteen riders officially finished the race which underlines how hard the race has been. Nodera’s team mate Tomoya Kano did a great job by controlling the group of riders who were chasing the leaders. Kano finished the race on sixth position at 1 min. 5 sec.
At the end of July Hidenori Nodera will arrive in Europe to take part in European races. So, the jersey of the Japanese Champion will also be shown to the European cycling fans.
Photo by Yuzuru Sunada
18 June 2005
Third stage race victory for Shimano-Memory Corp team
After winning the Internationale Niedersachsen-Rundfahrt and the Rheinland-Pfalz Rundfahrt in his home country, German rider Stefan Schumacher today won the Ster Elektrotoer in The Netherlands.In the final stage Schumacher gained two seconds of bonus time in an intermediate sprint through which he took the overall victory, just one second ahead of Belgian rider Nick Nuyens. Dutch Shimano-Memory Corp rider Laurens ten Dam made the performance of the team even more impressive by finishing on third position in the general classification. During the last weeks Ten Dam already showed that he is in great condition by finishing on fourth position in the general classifications of the Rheinland-Pfalz Rundfahrt and the Tour of Belgium and finishing on eighth position in the general classification of the Tour de Luxembourg.
In the Ster Elektrotoer the Shimano-Memory Corp team (Marco Bos, Alain van Katwijk, Laurens ten Dam, Rudie Kemna, Stefan Schumacher, Julien Smink and Eelke van der Wal) finished on second position in the team classification, just 8 seconds behind the Rabobank team and before the Mr.Bookmaker-Sports Tech team at 38 seconds.
25 May 2005
UCI Europe Tour leader’s jersey for Stefan Schumacher
German Shimano-Memory Corp rider Stefan Schumacher will wear the UCI Europe Tour leader’s jersey during the month of June. Because of his great results during the last weeks, Schumacher is the new leader in this ranking.By winning the Internationale Niedersachsen-Rundfahrt and the Rheinland-Pfalz Rundfahrt and four stages in the Rheinland-Pfalz Rundfahrt, the team leader of Shimano-Memory Corp gathered many points. Schumacher now leads the UCI Europe Tour before Ruben Plaza (Spain) and Luca Mazzanti (Italy).
In the coming weeks Stefan Schumacher will wear the leader’s jersey in the Tour de Luxembourg and the Ster Elektrotour (in The Netherlands).
22 May 2005
Tomoya Kano strong in Tour of Japan
The Shimano-Memory Corp team achieved a good result in the Asia Tour. Tomoya Kano finished - as the first Japanese rider - on sixth position in the Tour of Japan.Kano - who prepared himself for the Tour of Japan by training and racing in Europe during the first months of the 2005 season - especially made a great impression during the climbing time trial on the famous Mt. Fuji where he rode the seventh fastest time.
Kano’s team mates Hidenori Nodera and Yoshiyuki Abe were the numbers 14 and 15 in the general classification. The Shimano-Memory Corp team finished on a respectable fourth position in the final team classification of the Tour of Japan.
15 May 2005
Stefan Schumacher wins second stage race this year
Stefan Schumacher (Germany) has won his second stage race in a row. After having won the Niedersachsen Rundfahrt in the second half of April, he won the Rheinland-Pfalz Rundfahrt today.During this stage race in the German region Rheinland-Pfalz, Schumacher showed his great talent: he won the first three stages on a row and yesterday he won the individual time trial. In this time trial he finished before world-class specialists as Michael Rich and Uwe Peschel.
Today, the final stage was won by Christoph von Kleinsorgen (Germany). He finished before Björn Schröder (Germany) and Simon Gerrans (Australia).
In the general classification Schumacher finished before his countrymen Michael Rich (at 37 seconds) and Fabian Wegmann (at 49 seconds). Stefan Schumacher’s Dutch team mate Laurens ten Dam concluded a strongly ridden stage race on an honourable 4th position in the general classification at 1 min. 56 sec. Yesterday Ten Dam rode a good time trial which he finished on 6th position. Through this strong performance he climbed to a top position in the general classification.
With these results the Shimano-Memory Corp team concluded a successful first part of the 2005 season in a very nice way. Beside the victories in the Niedersachsen Rundfahrt and the Rheinland-Pfalz Rundfahrt, the team achieved deserving results in races such as Tour of Qatar, Volta ao Algarve, E3 Prijs Vlaanderen-Harelbeke, Rund um Köln, Hel van het Mergelland, Veenendaal-Veenendaal, Amstel Gold Race and Rund um den Henninger Turm.
It is also positive that the Japanese riders of the team have shown that they are well adapting to European professional cycling. Step by step they are growing to a higher level through which they have quickly become respected members of the team. Tomoya Kano already was a valuable team mate for Stefan Schumacher during the Niedersachsen Rundfahrt. Yukihiro Doi and Masahiro Shinagawa were valuable elements in the team during the Rheinland-Pfalz Rundfahrt.
In ten days, the next race will be on the program: Ronde van België (Tour of Belgium).
14 May 2005
Stefan Schumacher shows excellent condition by winning the time trial too
This year’s Rheinland-Pfalz Rundfahrt already is a great success for the Shimano- Memory Corp team. Team leader Stefan Schumacher showed that he is a serious candidate for the overall victory by winning the individual time trial this afternoon. He had already won the first three stages of this German stage race.The time trial with start and finish in Landau had a distance of 25,0 km. German time trial specialist Michael Rich finished 7 seconds behind Schumacher. Fabian Wegmann (Germany) finished on third position at 43 seconds before another German time trial specialist, Uwe Peschel (at 48 seconds). Shimano-Memory rider Laurens ten Dam (The Netherlands) surprised in a very positive way by finishing on sixth position at 1 min. 25 sec. Through this result he climbed to a top position in the general classification (fourth). His Dutch team mate Eelke van der Wal finished on thirteenth position at 1 min. 39 sec.
Because of his great performance in the time trial, German Stefan Schumacher strengthened his position on top of the general classification. He leads before his countrymen Michael Rich (at 37 seconds) and Fabian Wegmann (at 49 seconds). Laurens ten Dam is placed on fourth position at 1 min. 56 sec.
Before the time trial, a short ‘morning stage’ was on the program. Belgian rider Pieter Mertens won the ‘sprint a deux’ before Maxime Montfort (Belgian). Dutch Shimano-Memory Corp riders Marco Bos, Alain van Katwijk and Julien Smink finished on 5th, 8th and 9th position.
Tomorrow, the final stage of this year’s Rheinland-Pfalz Rundfahrt is on the program: from Kaiserslautern to Koblenz over a distance of 191,0 km.
13 May 2005
Hattrick by Stefan Schumacher in Rheinland-Pfalz Rundfahrt
Today, Shimano-Memory Corp rider Stefan Schumacher achieved a very remarkable result in the Rheinland-Pfalz Rundfahrt. After having won the first two stages, he won today the third stage in a row. Today’s stage took place between Mainz and Worms over a distance of 164,3 km.The German team leader of the Shimano-Memory Corp team again was the fasted sprinter of the first group of riders. Marcel Sieberg (Germany) finished on second position before Andre Greipel (Germany). Schumacher’s team mates Laurens ten Dam (The Netherlands) and Yukihiro Doi (Japan) were also part of this first group.
After today’s result, Schumacher is the new overall-leader in the general classification before German rider Fabian Wegmann (at 6 seconds) and Frenchman Samuel Dumoulin (at 22 seconds). The Rheinland-Pfalz Rundfahrt will finish this Sunday.
12 May 2005
Back-to-back victory Stefan Schumacher in Rheinland-Pfalz Rundfahrt
After winning the first stage yesterday, Shimano-Memory Corp rider Stefan Schumacher today also won the second stage in the Rheinland-Pfalz Rundfahrt in Germany. The second stage started in Trier and finished in Mainz over a distance of 197,2 km.German rider Stefan Schumacher won the peloton sprint before his countrymen Fabian Wegmann and Steffen Radochla. Dutch rider Marco Bos - Schumacher’s team mate in the Shimano-Memory Corp team - finished on 7th position.
After today’s stage, Schumacher remains on second position in the general classification behind Fabian Wegmann. Wegmann leads by 2 seconds. Frenchman Samuel Dumoulin is placed on third position at 14 seconds.
11 May 2005
Stefan Schumacher wins first stage in Rheinland-Pfalz Rundfahrt
Today, Stefan Schumacher won the first stage of the Rheinland-Pfalz Runfahrt in his home country Germany. The stage took place between Koblenz and Bad Marienberg over a distance of 158,1 km.The rider of the Shimano-Memory Corp team won the sprint of the first group of 23 riders before Frenchman Samuel Dumoulin and German rider Fabian Wegmann. Schumacher’s Dutch team mate Laurens ten Dam was also part of this first group and finished on 16th position.
In the general classification Stefan Schumacher now is placed on second position behind Fabian Wegmann, who gathered some seconds of bonus time during the stage.
24 April 2005
Stefan Schumacher wins Internationale Niedersachsen-Rundfahrt
After some victories in Asia, the Shimano-Memory Corp Professional Cycling Team today won for the first time an European race. Stefan Schumacher became the overall-winner of the Internationale Niedersachsen-Rundfahrt, a 2.1 race in Germany. In the final stage, Schumacher finished second after the Columbian rider Mauricio Ardilla Cano. With this result he took the final leader’s jersey. Russian rider Alexandr Kolobnev finished on second position in the final ranking before Belgian rider Marc Wauters. The Shimano-Memory Corp team finished on third spot in the team ranking.All riders of the team again worked hard to assist team leader Stefan Schumacher in today’s stage, the key-stage of this race because the peloton had to climb in the hills of Niedersachsen. Shimano-Memory Corp riders Laurens ten Dam and Tomoya Kano were able to stay close to Schumacher till the final part of the final stage. This enabled Schumacher to attack and create the decisive gap with his competitors. Japanese Shimano-Memory Corp rider Tomoya Kano proofed that he is quickly adapting to European professional cycling. During this Internationale Niedersachsen-Rundfahrt, he showed his talent for climbing.
17 April 2005
Good performance Shimano - Memory Corp in Amstel Gold Race
Last Sunday, this year’s Amstel Gold Race took place in foggy weather circumstances. And again, it was a hard race with a spectacular finale. And… it was the first appearance of the Shimano - Memory Corp team in a Pro Tour race.The team showed itself in a positive way during the entire race. Sports directors Piet Hoekstra and Hisafumi Imanishi worked out a tactical strategy which turned out well during the race. With our rider Alain van Katwijk, the team was represented in the four man break-away group which was initiated right after the start of the race and which was only being ‘caught’ by the peloton after 2/3 part of the race. The other riders perfectly assisted our German team leader Stefan Schumacher. Laurens ten Dam and Eelke van der Wal were able to assist Stefan till the final hills of the race. Also our Japanese rider Tomoya Kano gave a good impression in his first ever Pro Tour race by riding closely to Stefan, Laurens and Eelke till these final hills as well. Unfortunately, he was forced to abandon the race after more than 200 km because of a crash. Fortunately, ‘Tomo’ Kano was not injured by this crash. Stefan Schumacher was able to reward the help of his team mates by finishing in the select group of favourites, which is a great performance in such an important race. Italian rider Danilo di Luca (Liquigas) took the victory by winning the sprint of this group in front of Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) and Mirko Celestino (Domina Vacanze). With his 15th position Stefan showed that he is a great talent for the future.
On the 1st of May another big classic race takes place, in Germany: ‘Rund um den Henninger Turm’. In the coming days the Shimano - Memory Corp team will prepare itself for this classic race by riding the stage race ‘Internationale Niedersachsen-Rundfahrt’ in Germany.
15 March 2005
Shimano - Memory Corp in Amstel Gold Race
The Shimano - Memory Corp cycling team will be present at the start of the Pro Tour event Amstel Gold Race on Sunday 17 April. The organiser of the Amstel Gold Race provided a 'wild card' to the only Dutch Pro Continental team.The Amstel Gold Race is one of the three Pro Tour races which take place in The Netherlands. The team time trial in Eindhoven on 19 June and some stages of the Benelux Tour (3-10 August) are the other races.
Participation in the Amstel Gold Race enables the talented captain of the Shimano - Memory Corp team, German Stefan Schumacher, to compete with the world's best riders. For the Japanese riders of the team, who will ride this classic race, the Amstel Gold Race is their first acquaintance with a race of the highest level. For the young Dutch riders participation in the Amstel Gold Race is of great value for their development as riders. Of course, they are motivated to positively present themselves in this top race in their home country.