On April 29 – May 3, 2016 Carpathian courier races were held in which we participated for the seventh time in cooperation with CK EPIC DOHŇANY. However, this year was exceptional as Patrick Lefevere – Managing Director together with the three-time World Cyclo-cross Champion – Zdenko Štybar from Etixx – Quick – Step, came here to support young cyclists from KLEIN CONSTANTIA team (a farm of big Etixx) as well as to promote this project. These races are rated as the most prestigious European cycling events under – 23 years old. 32 teams from 18 European countries were lined up at the start.
Mr. Lefevere and Mr. Štybar also took part in the press conference which was covered by life broadcast on TA3.
They sat in the chair together with Peter Prívara, President of the Slovak Cycling Federation and Daniel Šmigura – janom Chief Executive. Mr. Lefevere has a lot of experience with journalists so no questions caught him off-guard. He commented on a five – year cooperation with our company and claims that he would like to keep this going. He has made no secrets of being interested in the defending champion Peter Sagan, however, he says that everything depends on next talks and negotiations. He also highlighted the work of Martin Velits (a Slovak racer) in Etixx jersey who is contracted by the end of 2017 and claims that his work for the team is very important in terms of breakaways and while assisting sprinters. Mr. Štybar was questioned by journalists about his satisfaction with the ongoing season and his plans in the immediate future.
On Sunday May 1, both Etixx representatives took part in the entire cycle race Trenčianske Teplice – Stará Bystrica and both claim that the races have a really high standard and the racers were outdoing one another and were eager to win them over. And one never knows, in a few years, we might see one of them by Zdenko Štybar´s side in Etixx. At the finish line Patrick and Zdenko obviously congratulated the winners and several interviews and team photos followed.
Obviously there were several falls, but it´s a part of this sport. The most successful team was KLEIN CONSTANTIA (also sponsored by us) with a racer Hamish Schreurs who was quick to win three jerseys – the yellow for general classification, the blue „janom“ for the best sprinter and the green „greenway“ for points system. Further info on individual stages and the photo-gallery can be found on www.cycling-info.sk
There was also one unpleasant event during the races. A young racer from JO PIELS team had a coronary and he is in hospital now. Fingers crossed for him to get fit and get back home asap.
Not only our company sponsors and organizes the races. In cooperation with CK EPIC Dohňany we try to encourage children in early childhood so as to be also competing in this race in the future and to fulfill their dreams. Maybe one of them will grow into the new world champion.
