In the Tour Rhône Alpes (UCI 2.2) in France and in the Internationale Berner Rundfahrt (International Tour of Berne, Switzerland, UCI 1.2) Team Vorarlberg presented itself in good shape and showed great team work. Also the stage and one-day races in France are to the team’s liking: Over four stages the team rode very actively and Clément Koretzky was in good mood.

When the French rider learned via tour radio that his direct rival for the sprint jersey was in the head group he took off for a solo pursuit and eventually caught up to the group. He then continued to win the important intermediate sprints thereby winning the Best Sprinter Jersey on the last stage.

In the final GC Patrick Schelling as the best rider of Team Vorarlberg won 11th place after good performances in some of the stages. ”With a little more luck a top five result might have been possible,” says the team’s management, regarding his third place in the KOM ranking and in stage two, respectively. The tour’s overall win went to Lennard Hofstede from the Netherlands.

Schelling Finishes Top Ten In The Tour Of Berne
In The Tour of Berne it was also Patrick Schelling to achieve a good result for the team with place 9. In the very selective course with 170km (106mls) and 2,100m (6890ft) of ascend soon the climbers were at the front. At first it was U23 rider Michael Kucher who was in the 11-strong head group on his STEVENS Xenon. About two thirds of the race the peloton allowed that group to stay in front. Shortly after the pack caught up and it was ”gruppo compatto” for the remainder of the race. Eventually a 25-strong lead group formed before the long final sprint. Among them was Schelling who eventually finished 9th. The sprint was won by Italian Enrico Salvador ahead of compatriot Danilo Celano.

”A top ten finish today was great considering the circumstances and that Patrick is not one the fastest sprinters. He was one of the strongest in the climbs, though – this makes us hopeful for the season highlight - Tour of Austria,” said Werner Salmen, Directeur Sportif.

Daniel Lehner Takes Overall Lead In Youth Category of Austrian Roadbike League
After his work in the international races Daniel Lehner made his mark in the Austrian Roadbike League, a national road race series. In the Grand Prix Südkärnten (GP of Southern Corinthia) he rode to 7th place in the U23 category, thereby taking the overall lead in that ranking. In the Elite ranking he is now in place 6. By becoming 21st, in Völkermarkt, Michael Kucher again delivered a strong and active performance. The day before he had already shown to be in good form by finishing 13th.