He’s ridden well this year but the lack of a victory in 2011 means that Chris Anker Sorensen has one major goal looking towards next season.
"I want a victory,” the Saxo Bank SunGard climber said. “Even though I'm always a little tired of riding a bike this late in the season, I'm looking forward to getting started despite the fact that the season ended two weeks ago. I'm really looking forward to the Danish national championships that will take place in my home town, Hammel. It would be so great winning the championship there…I think the other Sørensen on our team [Nicki] should pass the national jersey on to me.”
The younger Sorensen’s results included some very solid performances, such as fourth on the Lekunberri stage of the Vuelta al Pais Vasco, sixth in Liège-Bastogne-Liège plus second, sixth and seventh on stages of the Critérium du Dauphiné. He seemed to be lacking something extra to nab victories, although certainly some other missed opportunities occurred because he was riding shotgun for Alberto Contador in several races.
He played this role in the Tour de France, setting him up for attacks and also chasing rivals. And while he had his own chance in the Vuelta a España, he appeared tired and had to settle for twelfth overall. He’ll hope next year brings a bit more in terms of his own achievements.
However, despite missing out on topping a podium, he’s satisfied with how things went for him. “My season has been really good. I haven't won anything but I've certainly performed well on a new and higher level,” he explained. “During the season I had four objectives: Liège-Bastogne-Liège was one of them and there I was sixth. I'm really proud of this result. In the Tour de France, I had hoped to help Alberto (Contador) to victory. It definitely didn't turn out as I had hoped and it was a huge disappointment for me.
“In the Vuelta I was allowed to go for the GC and I reckon I grabbed the opportunity but was rather unfortunate with a puncture at the most critical time in the beginning of the race. A few weeks ago I finished off with Tour of Lombardy where I was feeling weak because of illness but I fought my way through anyway and was among the strongest with nine kilometres to go.”
Looking beyond his own performances, he said the season was one of surprises. “I would never have imagined Cobo and Froome would be first and second in the Vuelta and, for that matter, I didn't expect Evans to win the Tour,” he said. “But it’s super cool that competition today is so close.
“On our own team, the Grand Tour debutants Jonas Aaen and Jaro (Marycz) really surprised me. They were riding so fast throughout the race and they maintained their level during all three weeks. Jonas was even close to winning a stage but he was unfortunately beaten in the tactical game in the finale."