Georg Steinhauser - Finger pointing
Georg Steinhauser celebrates victory on the 17th stage of the Giro d'Italia after riding up the Passo Brocon with a climb of around 4100 metres. It was perhaps the greatest success of a German professional cyclist in the past road season. The now 23-year-old from the Allgäu was given the chance to do a dual apprenticeship with Team EF Education EasyPost - as a new pro, he also completed an apprenticeship as a metalworker in the company of his father, ex-professional cyclist Tobias Steinhauser. Uncle Jan Ullrich follows the youngster's career closely.
Pascal Ackermann - Q&A session
At the age of 30, Pascal Ackermann took part in the Tour de France for the first time in the jersey of his new employer Israel-Premier Tech. At the day's finish, which he reached three times in third place, the sprinter was always in a good mood as he talked about his experiences. He is still dreaming of a stage win in France - after a year in which he was never the fastest.
Franziska Koch - Gold smiley
Franziska Koch has ended her dry spell: The 24-year-old from a cycling family in Mettmann had not won a cycling race for five years when she took the title at the German Championships in Bad Dürrheim this summer. She won the sprint against the Giro stage winner, later fourth in the World Championships and title winner of the past two years, Liane Lippert. Koch usually acts as an important helper for the dsm-firmenich PostNL team. Golden moments like at the DM are rare for her.
Simon Geschke - Lifting figure
Niklas Behrens - promoted
Niklas Behrens was the discovery of the season from a German perspective. The racer, whose physiognomy and riding style are reminiscent of Mathieu van der Poel, won the title in the U23 class at the World Championships in Zurich. The 1.95 metre tall and 80 kilogramme giant never allowed himself to be decisively left behind on the mountainous circuit. Next year, the 21-year-old from Bremen will be able to showcase his talent as a professional cyclist in the Visma | Lease a Bike jersey.
Antonia Niedermaier - with lake view
Antonia Niedermaier stormed to the best time in the U23 class in the World Championship individual time trial on the shores of Lake Zurich. The 21-year-old former ski mountaineer thus defended her title in the battle against the clock. In the elite class, she missed out on the bronze medal by less than nine seconds.
Phil Bauhaus - fast man
The former sprint nation of Germany is looking for a successor to Zabel, Greipel, Kittel and co. The most successful German sprinter last year was Phil Bauhaus (Team Bahrain-Victorious). The now 30-year-old from Bocholt celebrated two victories this season, one of them at the Tirreno-Adriatico World Tour race (pictured). At the Tour de France, he once finished second in a stage.
Andreas Kublik
Editor
