Gerald Ciolek looking positive after the stage win at the Volta ao Algarve 2012
German Sprinter Gerald Ciolek stunned the audience with his outstanding performance during the fourth stage of the Tour of Algarve 2012.
The cyclist sprinted his way through the finish-line in the fastest time of 4 hours, 35 minutes and 1 second to claim the top spot at the 186.3 kilometre chase to Tavira.
Matteo Trentin of Team Omega Pharma-QuickStep and Heinrich Haussler of Team Garmin-Barracuda secured the second and the third spots.
The cyclist is the most recent evidence of the endless sprinting talent from Germany. He is truly the successor of Marcel Kittel, John Degenkolb and Andre Greipel.
The 25-year-old joined Team Quick Step in 2011 and his only remarkable performance during the past year was the second place finish at the Vattenfall Cyclassics 2011.
He managed to secure the much awaited win early on the season and is hopeful to continue his winning ways in the coming part of the season.
Gerald told Velochrono, "This victory feels really good. It's an incredible feeling as I hadn't won for so long".
The German was at the top of his game from 2006-2009. He secured the Under 23 World Championships and a number of other victories during his time with the T-Mobile Team and Team Highroad.
The down fall in his career started in 2009, after joining Team Milram and his only impressive performance with the team was the second stage win at the Vuelta a Espana 2009.
Ciolek finished first during the Trofeo Calvia and grabbed the 3rd stage victory at the Bayern-Rundfahrt.
He was happy after signing the contract with Patrick Lefevere in 2011 and briefed that his previous side had too many German cyclists in its squad.
"I feel really good in this team. I really like the international atmosphere that reigns there, contrary to Team Milram which was too German," Gerald commented after signing the Belgian side.
He further added, “An atmosphere in which you feel good is very important, as you feel that the team does everything to make the essential changes which really make the difference”.
Gerald is now looking ahead at the spring classics and is also targeting the Tirreno-Adriatico and Milan-San Remo for the season ahead.
Only time will tell if the young German can continue his winning momentum to fill his pockets with more victories in the coming races.
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