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Tales from the Peloton
Team fakta ready for Division I
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In Faaborg, Denmark, Quality Hotel Faaborg Fjord and Choice Hotels Denmark hosted the unusual, but very lively presentation of the second Danish team in Division I: Team fakta. The team earned the right to enter Division I by being the top team in Division II in 2002.
With the riders joining singer Christine Milton, upcoming Danish star and finalist of the Danish version of TV program "Idol", and dancers on stage, the attending press and guests witnessed the team spirit and optimism sparked by one common goal for 2003: to prove that team Fakta is one of the top 30 cycling teams in the world.
At the presentation, Team fakta manager Peter Sejer Nielsen outlined the team's main goals of this season:
1. To get ourselves established amongst the top cycling teams in the world. I hope we will finish in the top 20, which will make me very satisfied, but also a top 25 position can be satisfactory, depending on the circumstances. However, if we do not end up in the top 25, it will be a disappointment.
2. We need to secure the team and the company's survival for 2004. A number of our sponsorships need to be renegotiated, and new strategic ideas should be implemented. This will be an important task for 2003. We feel we have some good ideas, a good concept for those who work together with us, and we can document fantastic exposure - particularly in Scandinavia, but also the rest of the world.
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Mr Nielsen added that the team hopes to do most of the spring classics, with Paris-Roubaix, Tour of Flanders and Amstel Gold Race being season targets for several riders. "If we do well in the beginning we also hope to do well in the rest of the World Cups. As a Division I team, we also hope to be invited to either the Giro or the Vuelta, as it would be unusual if a Division I team does not compete in at least one of the grand tours," he said.
Team director Kim Andersen spoke about the team and the riders. "I think we have a very strong team," he said. "We have the right people for the classics and we have people for the stage races. For example, I trust that we will see Scott [Sunderland] back at his 2001 level, he'll be one rider the favourites need to take into account in, for example, the Tour of Flanders or Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and if Allan Johansen continues his strong 2002 season he will also be a guy to look out for in the classics."
"It will be interesting to see how Kurt Asle [Arvesen] can continue his development from last year. If we get a start in Milano - San Remo, it could be interesting to see him at the Poggio as he is now excellent on climbs like that."
"Being an old sprinter it could be fun, and I am looking forward to see Frank Høj and Magnus Bäckstedt in Paris-Roubaix, where they are both aiming for top placings. Frank Høj I believe has an unused potential, he is as strong as an ox, and I hope that he will really settle in our team and show his full potential."
Andersen also discussed the team's prospects in the stage races. "In Jørgen Bo Petersen we have a guy who can go for the GC in Paris-Nice, but it will also be interesting to see him in the Giro, where we hope to get a start," said the director. "A lot of the other guys in the team have strong potential, and I feel certain that we will be capable of picking up where we left off last year. It will be difficult, as our success last year was overwhelming. But I still think we can do it."
Team overview
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The core of the team is very similar to that of last year, with a some new signings adding to the depth of the team.
Cyclingnews diarist Scott Sunderland is the Australian expert for the Belgian spring races, and seems to be back in top shape, looking to repeat and improve on his big 2001 season. Scott is starting his 18th European season. He has been racing since the age of 7, and is thus with almost 30 years of experience a hell of a team captain.
Kurt Asle Arvesen, a past U23 world road champion and current Norwegian Champion, ranked no. 37 in the world, had his big breakthrough season in 2002 and is currently the highest ranked Scandinavian rider. He also won last year's edition of the Tour of Sweden.
Magnus Bäckstedt is the only Swede who has won a stage in the Tour de France, and after previously finishing top 10 in Paris-Roubaix, this race is his big goal for 2003.
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Jørgen Bo Petersen, ranked no. 87 in the world and the second highest ranked Danish rider, might for the first time might have his eyes set on riding for the overall classification in one of the big tours.
Allan Johansen had his best season ever last year with a win in Paris - Bourges, and is looking to build on that in 2003.
The remaining riders from the 2002 team are Danish post cup winner 2002 Allan Bo Andresen, 2002 winner of the Danish classic 'Fyn Rundt' Jacob Moe Rasmussen, Rene Jørgensen, Lars Ytting Bak, Mikael Skelde and Norwegian Bjørnar Vestøl.
New riders
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Colourful Dane Frank Høj is a cyclist who found a place in the hearts of Belgian cycling fans when he rode for Collstrop and Palmans between 1995 and 1998. He then transferred to US Postal for a season in 1999, before going to Francaise des Jeux (2000) and Team Coast (2001-2002). he does not have good memories of last team however, still claiming to be owed salary from 2002.
But now for the first time in his career Frank will ride in a Danish team, and Team fakta hopes he will be in top shape once again for the classics, which he is making his goal for this season.
2002 UK Champion Julian Winn, Austrian Werner Riebenbauer, Swedes Fredrik Modin and Martin Rittsel, plus Danish talent back from Team Phonak, Mikael Reihs are also part of the new brigade.
Finally, Team fakta has signed a two year contract with 27 year old Swede Tomas Grönkvist. Grönkvist joins fakta from Amore & Vita. With the addition of Grönkvist, the team fills out its roster to 18 riders for the 2003 season.
Equipment
Bikes: Pinarello Opera
Glasses: Rudy Project
Helmets: Bell Ghisallo
Tyres: Vittoria
Handlebars, stems, seatposts: ITM
Saddles: Selle Italia
Groupsets, wheels, pedals and shoes: Shimano
Clothing: Nalini
Additional sponsors
Pata Chips
Pasta Montegrappa
Choice Hotels
Dark Dog (power drink) Squeezy Energy Gel
Photos
Images by Frank Rud Jensen
- Peter Sejer Nielsen, team manager
- Peter Sejer Nielsen has his mugshot taken
- Tight clothing, concentration, the team has it all
- Let the entertainment begin
- Do the Can-Can
- Frank Høj busts a move
- René Jørgensen says a few words
- Scott Sunderland talks about the upcoming Tour de Langkawi
- And here they are, Team fakta 2003
- Tomas Grönkvist looking very happy with himself
- Tommy Poulsen and Jacob Moe Rasmussen
- Werner Riebenbauer and the Pinarello Opera
- Allan Bo Andresen has a few words
- Allan Johansen speaks
- Bill Sejer Nielsen has his photo taken
- Fredrik Modin has his turn on stage
- The Welshman Julian Winn
- Martin Ritzel posing for his photo
- Michael Reihs trying to explain his hair-gel addiction
- Peter Meinert Nielsen, assistant team manager
