Danish director happy with World Champion's performance over tough time trial course
Leopard Trek has gotten their inaugural season off to a solid start, but still remain winless. It's not for lack of getting close - the team already has seven podium finishes so far in the young season.
Saturday's crucial time trial at the Tour of Oman appeared like it could have been the day for the team to get their first win by way of their four-time World Time Trial Champion, Fabian Cancellara. Unfortunately, riders were presented with a course not at all suited for the Flanders/Roubaix double winner's big engine.
"[Saturday's] time trial was difficult with a hugely hard climb in the middle," said Leopard Trek director sportif Kim Andersen following yet another strong showing by his team. "It was a time trial for a climber, and not Fabian's type of race at all, so I am very proud of him and how he did."
Despite the very difficult course, Cancellara still managed 4th place on the day, 27 seconds behind a blazing hot Robert Gesink. For arguably one of the best time trialists of all time, it's not often that a 4th place finish is cause for congratulations, but Andersen admits that he's proud of Cancellara's performance and says that it's a strong indicator of a rider already heading toward great form - a fact that will surely make his cobbled classic rivals a bit nervous.
"This time trial course was completely different from last year's, which was a thousand times easier. Nevertheless, Fabian was able to finish equally well on a strong time, which shows he is very fit and in good shape, but also that he is mentally strong too."
It wasn't just Cancellara though. The Leopard Trek squad stacked the top fifteen with four riders.
"Fuglsang (15th), Monfort (11th), and Posthuma (12th) all did very nice time trials. There was some wind, nothing more than usual, but it is always windy here, so for them to race at that level is very encouraging."
As for that pesky first win, Andersen is anything but concerned at the moment. It's worth noting that Saxo Bank was extremely quiet in the early going last year, then kicked into high gear in March. One can expect something like that this year. There's every indication that the team's riders are slowly working up to the crucial dates that are to come at the end of March and into April. Even without a win so far, they've been treading oh so close to the top step of the podium. Daniele Bennati has been the team's main bread winner so far with an impressive tally of four second place finishes and two thirds, including third overall at the Tour of Qatar.
"We have been very close with Daniele several times in the past two weeks here in Oman and before in Qatar. Tomorrow may be the day; in any case, I am very proud of how the guys are riding. The wins will come."
It shouldn't be long before the Italian breaks through for his first win of the season, and one can expect that the rest of his all star cast of teammates will be coming along in short order as well.
"We're not worried about not having won anything yet, because we are always close, and it will come."