Team Vorarlberg - REVIEW OF A GREAT SEASON 2023
BOYS, THANK YOU for this season - YOU delivered big time!
The first quarter century of Team Vorarlberg came to an end with the Tour of Istanbul at the beginning of October. Without exaggerating, we can look back with pride on the most successful season in history.
With fresh forces into the new year
After the departure of team leaders Alexis Guerin, Roland Thalmann and Riccardo Zoidl, it was exciting to see how the team would find its way again. Newly formed with Moran Vermeulen, Oscar Cabedo, Jon Knolle, Antoine Berlin, Laurin Nenning, Peter Inauen and Pirmin Benz, the squad around sports director Werner Salmen already presented itself wide awake at the start of the season at the beginning of March at the South Aegean Tour UCI 2.2 in Greece (overall 4th Lukas Rüegg, 6th Antoine Berlin).
Rhodes: a good ground for results and preparation
Dominik Amann shows his good early form with third place at the Independent Race in Rhodes. At the Tour of Rhodes the prologue, cancelled by bad weather, prevented an even better overall result (5th Lukas Meiler, 8th Colin Stüssi, 10th Antoine Berlin).
With a podium into the Cycling League
The third place by Antoine Berlin in Leonding opened the Cycling League. Lukas Rüegg secured the Omnium track title shortly afterwards in Switzerland. This is followed by fourth place in the final stage of the Tour du Loir et Cher UCI 2.2 in France.
Tour of the Alps UCI 2nd Pro in Vermeulen mode
Now the time had come for Moran Vermeulen. The newcomer from Austria, in the service of the national team, was seen in the "break away" on all stages at the top-ranked Tour. He collected the points like a squirrel and becomes second in the points classification.
Vermeulen in second place at home UCI Grand Prix in Nenzing
After the next podium at the 61st Cherry Blossom Race in Wels (3rd place Lukas Rüegg), Team Vorarlberg set off the next fireworks. At the GP Vorarlberg UCI 1.2, which was held for the first time as a world ranking points race, Moran Vermeulen's irresistible riding style earned him an outstanding second place. Cheered on in front of an incredible crowd of spectators.
At the 72nd Fleche du Sud in Luxembourg, Moran Vermeulen finishes fourth overall. Only one second was missing on the podium. The team classification wins however sovereign the team Vorarlberg.
One second missing to the next coup at the Int. Upper Austria Tour UCI 2.2
With rank two in the luggage with the Schönberger Criterium in Bavaria by Lukas Rüegg, was blown to the storm on the Höss at the 14th Upper Austria round UCI 2.2. Only one second should be missing Oscar Cabedo to the overall victory. He finished second, Colin Stüssi fourth.
Tour of Slovenia UCI 2. Pro - Team Vorarlberg plays in the concert of the World Tour
Top prepared with a strong performance at the 59th GP of the Canton Aargau in Gippingen UCI 1.1, received a wildcard for the UCI Pro Tour of Slovenia. Just ride along? Not an option! First and foremost Colin Stüssi and Oscar Cabedo, strengthened by the whole team behind them, showed a terrific performance against the many World Tour teams. Stüssi finished twelfth overall. Cabedo on rank 15.
At the national championships, directly after the 59th Tour of Slovenia, Moran Vermeulen secures bronze in the time trial.
72nd Int. Tour of Austria UCI 2.1 - the resurrection
The fact that the Tour of Austria is back after three years of interruption was only possible thanks to a good share of Team Vorarlberg Power. Team Manager Thomas Kofler, took over the position of Tour Director in 2023 together with Team Tirol Manager Thomas Pupp. Jürgen Schatzmann was responsible for the perfect and competent organization of the entire Tour 2023. Numerous Vorarlbergers were active in leading positions for a revival of the special class.
What a great Tour start in Dornbirn - all of Vorarlberg in party mood
The due start took place with a sold-out team performance at the market place in Dornbirn. The first stage on the circuit through Vorarlberg and the broad supporting program, inspired tens of thousands of cycling fans. The spectacular sprint in front of the Dornbirn town hall, won the German super sprinter Pascal Ackermann (UAE-Emirates). In eighth place Lukas Rüegg.
Colin Stüssi best Continental rider of the Tour of Austria
Also on the next stages to the Tour finish on the Sonntagberg, the Vorarlberg Equipe convinced all along the line against the big World Tour teams of INEOS-Grenadier, Jayco-Alula, UAE-Emirates and Alpecin-Deceuninck. Colin Stüssi finished eleventh overall as the best rider from a Continental team. The initial spark and basis for his further run of success!
Next Cycling League race = 2x Team Vorarlberg
Jon Knolle`s second place in the criterium in Wieselburg, directly after the Tour of Austria, was just the warm up. At the third league race the next show of power followed. Colin Stüssi missed the victory by a hair's breadth and finished second. Lukas Rüegg fixes the double podium with third place.
19th Tour Alsace UCI 2.2 - the not perfect premiere for Volta Portugal
Fourth place of Colin Stüssi on La Planche des Belles-Filles should be the maximum. But above all, the team has a lot of luck on the final stage in Alsace. Due to a spectator, the entire team is "cleared" at speed 50. Fortunately, the consequences of the fall prove to be fixable. The cycling god must have been close to Vorarlberg.
Moran Vermeulen wins the Int. Pro Criterium in St. Anton am Arlberg at the end of July in front of a large crowd and continuous rain.