Milram riders left hanging
Saturday’s Giro di Lombardia marked the end of the road race season and the end of Team Milram, leaving many riders without a team. Disappointment is not new to Milram, but manager Gerry van Gerwen was still frustrated by his team’s performance.
"They did not meet expectations...We had high hopes and invested heavily, but they could not perform. I do not know if the riders didn't really want it. We had realistic expectations. I'm not satisfied."
The top finisher from Milram was Fabian Wegmann in 15th overall, five minutes behind winner Philippe Gilbert. At the beginning of the season, van Gerwen had named 25 wins as the goal for the team, but they took less than half of that number. This
contributed to the team’s failure to secure a financial backer for the 2011 season, and though the deadline for a licence has past, the manager still plans to line-up a sponsor at the next opportunity.
"We will not give up and will fight with everything we have," said van Gerwen. "It is still planned that we will find a sponsor for a German team."
The team’s infrastructure will remain intact at the headquarters in Dortmund and the organization’s assets will not be sold. The riders will be gone, however, with the best of them already signed elsewhere. Younger riders will have a harder time however,
with at least two form team members, Matthias Russ and Dominik Roels, left hanging without a team.
"I have a manager who has worked hard and written emails to potential employers, but nothing came of it. I have to go with the fact then, that I will not race professionally next season," said 23-year-old breakaway specialist Russ.
Roels has taken the easy way out. While Russ searches desperately for a team, 26-year-old Roels has opted not to bother and will be returning to school after a short cycling career.
"My family is completely behind me and even encouraged my choice...I think I made the right decision."
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