Jacob Rathe

USA

13.03.1991

 

Speciality: Allrounder

Most important successes: Stage win Volta a Portugal

Team/Club 2011: Chipotle Development Team

Stagiaire: -

Team 2012: Team Garmin - Cervélo

Best Mock List ranking: new

Web: www.facebook.com/people/Jacob-Rathe/1454370351

 

Talking about an allrounder in case of cycling or the Mock List, you are often quite unsure, in which direction this rider is going to develop once. It is not much different with Jacob Rathe, especially because the American calls himself an allrounder and can boast a widespread Palmarès at a very young age.

 

The Portland, Oregon native Rathe raced two-pronged, even three-pronged as a junior. Road, cyclocross and track. In 2006 he became runner-up at the national cyclocross championships in his age group. And even on the track Rathe got his results, he became US-Champion in the scratch.

After several junior victories for the Beaverton Bicycle Club in the U.S., Rathe then increased racing on the roads of Europe in 2009. In Buggingen he could win a stage of the Regio Tour, in the overall standings he finished in sixth place.

 

So Rathe jumped right from the junior class to the US-Continental team Jelly Belly in 2010. As a "rookie", he was primarily responsible for supporting his team captains and to work for them in the corresponding race situation. Even with missing results, his performances were apparently strong enough to get a contract for the 2011 season with the farm team of Garmin.

 

Already by the end of January, Rathe was able to achieve a thenth place at the stage to Cameron Highlands, within the Tour de Langkawi (2.HC), the first victory could be cheered in March at the Rutas de America (2.2) in Uruguay. In the sprint of a four-man breakaway group, Rathe was able to distance a guy like Fabio Felline. And even in Brazil a few days later, Rathe got two top ten placings at the Giro do Interior de Sao Paulo (2.2). He ended his successful South American spring at the beginning of May, by coming in third at the time trial of the U23 category at the Pan-American Championships.

 

Sprinting, climbing, time trialing...cobbles? He can do that, too. By the end of June at the U23 edition of Paris-Roubaix, Rathe placed himself in a leading group and at the end finished third behind Sinkeldam and Stuyven. After becoming runner-up at the US Nationals by the end of June, the young American celebrated his biggest – and apparently most important for 2012 – success so far. After a few hard mountain stages in the Portugese oven, Rathe made the jump into a breakaway group. Even three riders from Farnese-Vini didn't make an impression on Jacob, he kept track and finally sprinted to victory from a bad position. One day after this victory in the Volta a Portugal (2.1), Jonathan Vaughters announced Rathe's signing with the professional team.

 

Nominated by Ocana, written by Ocana, translated by ocana

Sonny Colbrelli

Italy

17.05.1990

 

Rider type: Sprinter

Biggest success: 6. U23 World Championships

Team 2011: GS Zalf Désirée Fior

Stagiaire: Colnago-CSF Inox

Team 2012: Colnago-CSF Inox

Best Mock List-placing: new

Web: www.facebook.com/sonny.colbrelli

For the upcoming U23-World Championships in Copenhagen Colbrelli is looking for a place on the podium. Is sixth place at last years edition in Geelong proves, that this is quite a realistic aim. He is fast in sprints since junior times.

In 2008 he got some spots on the podium out of one day race, such as a third place at the Trofeo Emilio Paganessi – Vertova (1.1) and a second place at Trofeo Città di Ivrea (1.1), beaten there by a certain Michal Kwiatkowski. In stage race he also placed himself well, exemplarily there has to mentioned a third place at a stage of Tre Giorni Orobica (2.1) and a second stage rank at the Tour du Pays de Vaud (2.1). He achieved his only victory at that race in a team time trial. The third place in the prologue of Tre Ciclistica Bresciana (2.1), which by the way was won by Michael Matthews, proves that he gets along with these races as well.

In 2010 he was transferred to the italian amateur team GS Zalf Désirée Fior and was able to get some victories in his first year, at the Trofeo Alcide Degasperi (1.2), the Giro Del Canavese - Trofeo Sportivi Valperghesi (NE) and the GP Industria del Cuoio e delle Pelli (NE). This year it didn't last for a victory, but for a respectable amount of podium spots. Beginning in February at the Vuelta Ciclista de Chile (2.2) and the Coppa San Geo (NE). In March only Battaglin beat him at Trofeo Zssdi (1.2), a week later he won the sprint of the first chasing group and became third at the Trofeo Franco Balestra - Memorial Giampietro Metelli (1.2), just as in April at GP Liberazione (1.2U). At Trofeo Banca Popolare Piva (1.2U) he became second, beaten by Richard Lang. In the Canadian Coupe des Nations Ville Saguenay (2.NC) it was Arnaud Demare, who defeated him in the sprint of stage one.

 

Since August he rides as Stagiare for Colnago, where he finished the Tour of Denmark (2.HC) as unremarkable 63rd. Next year he is going to ride a a neo pro for this team and maybe will be able to come close to Modolo's neo pro performances.

 

Nominated by wagenge, written by wagenge, translated by ocana

Sebastian Lander

Denmark

11.03.1991

 

Type of Rider: Sprint, Hilly classics, Northern classics

Biggest Success: 3rd Junior World Championships

Team/Club 2011: Team Concardia

Stagiaire: -

Team 2012: to be determined

Best Mock List Ranking: new

Web: www.sebastian-lander.dk

 

Despite his still young age of twenty, the reputation of being a super talent is attached to Sebastian Lander for quite some time already. It all started in 2007. Back then he won the youth Olympics and a handful of other important races in Europe in the U17 category. 2008, his first year in the junior ranks fuelled the top talent reputation even further: Third at the world championships in Cape Town behind Le Bon and Cattaneo, first at the GP Général Patton (2.NC, ahead of Matthews), stage wins at Trofeo Karlsberg and Giro della Toscana – to mention only the most important ones. After that, the expectations rose up to the sky. He was meant to destroy the competition in 2009. But that never happened. Lander, compared to the standard he set up himself, even rode a pretty bad season, in which only the world championship title in the point race on the track stood out.

 

Since 2010 he races for the Danish continental team Concardia. Already in his first year in the U23 ranks he was able to secure a bunch of good results, like the third place in the U23 edition of Liège-Bastogne-Liège (1.2U, won by Navardauskas), ninth place in the GP Portugal (2.NC), a stage win in the GP Saguenay (2.NC, in a bunch sprint) and above all rank eight at U23 world championships in Geelong. In 2011 he remained more or less at the same level like last year. The highlights were a fourth place at the Côte Picarde (1.NC) and a seventh place at the Danish pro championships.

 

Sebastian Lander nowadays is far off from his former dominance. But the fact that, except Démare and Colbrelli, all of the riders placed in front of him in the last world’s already turned pro and this years edition will take place in Copenhagen, somehow inevitably makes him a man-to-watch for the most important race of the year.

 

Nominated by chreezer, written by chreezer, translated by chreezer

Bert – Jan Lindeman

Netherlands

28.11.1990

 

Rider type: Hilly one-day races

Biggest success: 14th, Tour of Denmark

Team 2011: Cycling Team Jo Piels

Stagiaire: Vacansoleil

Team 2012: Vacansoleil

Best Mock List placing: -

Web: www.bertjanlindeman.nl

www.facebook.com/profile.php

 

 

Yes! There is more in the Netherlands than just the mini-Rabos! Last year it was Tom Dumoulin and Pim Lighart who made it to the Mock List without a mini-Rabo career. The latter rider, along with never-Rabo Wout Poels, has done well as a pro. This year two more riders have made the Mock List without the benefit of learning at Rabo; one of them is Bert-Jan Lindeman.

 

He started with cycling early and as early as the Youth class it became clear that he had chosen the right spot, since he won often, sometimes with a lap advantage. In the later categories it was harder for him to win, but he brought in top placings, especially in difficult races.

 

Since last year the now 20-year-old rides for Jo Piels. There he gets the occasional opportunity for foreign races, but he is mostly at the start in the Netherlands, at races which are usually too flat for him. Nevertheless he has three national wins, one of which is the hilly Hel van het Noerenland. In the KNWU Beloftencompetitie, the Dutch league, Lindeman landed in second place.

 

His really interesting results came from foreign races. For his fourth place at the U23 Lüttich-Bastogne-Lüttich, he finished in a ten-man lead group. At his first race as a stagiaire for Vacansoleil, he rode the Tour of Denmark (2.HC), ending the Queen stage as fifth. No other Vacansoleil was to be found in the 15-man chase group.

 

He already has his first pro victory. Last year the Dutchman was the fastest of nine escapees in the third stage of the Tour de Gironde (2.2).

 

So it seem likely that next year Lindeman will follow the non-Rabo route to Vacansoleil. At the World Championships, he could start for the strong Dutch team, but since the course is too easy for him, he will have fill a helper's role.

 

Update:

In the meantime Lindeman defenitely signed a contract with Vacansoleil.

 

nominated by Ogkempf, written by Ogkempf, translated by Tick

Stefano Agostini

Italien

03.01.1989

 

Rider type: Climber - Classics

Biggest success: Italienischer U23 Meister auf der Straße 2010

Team 2011: Zalf Désirée Fior

Stagiaire: Liquigas - Cannondale

Team 2012: Liquigas-Cannondale

Best Mock List placing: new

Web: twitter.com

 

Already in his junior time Stefano Agostini, who was born in Udine, brought himself in focus. In 2007 he won seven races for U.C. Giorgione, including a stage at the Italian UCI-Race Tre Ciclistica Bresciana. A remarkable achievement, especially when you consider that he had to deal with calibers such as Diego Ulissi and Daniele Ratto.

 

The years 2008 and 2009 are, from Agostini’s point of view, not worth mentioning. Results are only very rare, for 2008, none whatsoever. Yet he seems somehow to have left a lasting impression, because he was signed by one of Italy’s talent spotter Zalf Désirée Fior for the season 2010. Zalf Désirée Fior secured his services and very soon Agostini paid back that trust with good results. In May he won the Trofeo Città di San Vendemiano (1.2U) in front of his teammates Vaccher and Battaglin. The biggest success of his young career he achieved in late June. In Pieve di Soligo Agostini became Italien champion. In the sprint of a small breakaway group the 62-pound Agostini succeeded over Stefano Locatelli and Tommaso Salvetti. By the end of the season 2010, he had three victories.

 

The year 2011 Agostini then was allowed to start in the Champion jersey. Another year, in which he was able, to raise again. He scored a total of five victories; including two stage wins in the GiroBio (2.2) as well as the U23 version of the Trofeo Matteotti. In addition, his numerous attacks in the GiroBio brought him the mountain jersey. The two stage victories accidentally resulted in winning the tours climbers jersey. In the overall standing Agostini reached the third place. Altogether, it was a very successful tour for Agostini.

 

Since August Agostini is on his way as a Stagiare with Liquigas, for which he will also ride next year as a Neo-Pro.

 

nominated by rieper, written by ocana, translated by Emilia

Rasmus Quaade

Denmark

07.01.1990

 

Rider type: Time trial

Biggest success: 1st, national Elite time trial championships

Team 2011: Team Concordia Forsikring - Vesthimmerland

Stagiaire: -

Team 2012: not yet known

Best Mock List placing: new

Web: www.rasmusquaade.dk

 

September 29, 2010, was a day of doom for Rasmus Quaade, with the young Dane taking hs anger out on his bike after he made a mistake and couldn't avoid a crash. Neither he nor his bike reached the finish line. Quaade, highly praised and expected to win, despite opponents such as Kittel, Durbridge, and Phinney, had gone into the race in which he had finished ninth the previous year, with advance praise and expectations of winning. He was unable to do so.

 

He didn't fully recover from the Geelong trauma until June 23, 2011. At the national time trial championships, he left two world-class riders in Fuglsang and Rasmussen behind him. Now he is Danish elite champion. As a junior and espoir he had already won a number of jerseys bearing the white cross, not only for the time trial but also on the track and road.

 

He will again be one of the favourites to win the time trial at the World Championships in his own land, when it goes through lovely Copenhagen. It is not yet known where he will ride next year. So far only the transfer of Juul-Jensen to Saxobank is certain, and it remains to be seen whether more young Danes will follow.

 

Update:

In the Chrono Champenois, a time trial, Quaade finished second behind Luke Durbridge, the big favourite for the title in Copenhagen.

 

Nominated by Offi, written by Offi, translated by Tick

Nikias Arndt

Germany

18.11.1991

 

Rider type: Allrounder, Sprints, Time Trials

Biggest Success: Stage win Tour de l’Avenir 2011

Team 2011: LKT Team Brandenburg

Stagiaire: -

Team 2012: to be determined

Best Mock List placing: new

Web: www.facebook.com/profile.php

 

Nikias Arndt is arguably the biggest German hope in the U23 ranks these days. If any further proof of this hypothesis was necessary, he delivered it a few weeks ago with his stage win in the Tour de l’Avenir (2.NC). There, the Lower Saxon won thanks to a powerful sprint out of a 30 men strong group. This win demonstrated his key strengths: Arndt is an excellent rouleur with a good sprint, who can defend himself well uphill.

 

In 2009 he was by far the best German U19 rider and delivered top results of an impressive quality and quantity. Second at the Peace Race (2.NC) and the Driedaagse van Axel (2.1), third at the Trofeo Karlsberg (2.NC) and the Niedersachsen-Rundfahrt (2.1) as well as fourth in world championship time trial. Actually, everywhere he started he was in front. His dominance at national level became especially clear at the flat Cottbus Rundfahrt, where beside his overall victory he was able to win no less than three out of four stages.

 

In his first U23 year 2010, Arndt straightaway won three UCI races. His most important result was the stage win in the Thüringen Rundfahrt (2.2U, in a bunch sprint) combined with a fourth rank in the general classification. 2011, beside many other good results, he again secured a stage win in the biggest German U23 tour (this year he was the only German at all to do so!).

 

Nikias Arndt has a very strong track background. He is the reigning German champion in the individual pursuit and also presented himself very well at the track world championships in Appeldoorn with rank seven this year. Given that the Olympics next year represent the undoubted top event for track racers, it looks very certain that he will focus on that and will remain for one more year in the U23 ranks. Afterwards, he should definitely go for a road career. With the results he already achieved, the door should be wide open for him.

 

nominated by chreezer, written by chreezer, translated by chreezer

Moreno Hofland

Netherlands

31.08.1991

 

Rider type: Complete sprinter

Biggest success: Stage win Tour de l'Avenir

Team 2011: Rabobank CT

Stagiaire: -

Team 2012: Rabobank CT

Best Mock List-placing: new

Web: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1087224541&ref=ts

 

In 2008 Hofland first appeared in the result lists with a third place at a stage of the Driedaagse van Axel (2.1). One year later he was much more present and celebrated his first victories. He won two stages and the overall classification of the Trophée Centre Morbihan (2.1). At the Driedaagse van Axel (2.1) he managed to finish second inone stage. He scored further podiums at the GP Bati-Metallo (1.1) and took the general classification of the Ster van Zuid-Limburg (NE). The fourth place of the junior Ronde van Vlaanderen (1.NC) is worth mentioning as well of course.

 

Being one of the best juniors of his age, he was hired by the Rabobank Continental Team in 2010. There he was able to prove, that riding prologues belongs to his strenghts as well by finishing fourth at the Jadranska Magistrala (2.2) and seventh at the Tour de L'Ain (2.1). Next to some podiums at various criteriums, (Nieuw-Vossemeer, Hel van Voerendaal, Westrozebeke, Ronde van Wernhout) he reached seventh place overall at the Thüringen-Rundfahrt (2.2U).

This year Hofland was able to score his first pro wins. He booked two stage wins at the Kreiz Breizh Elite (2.2) as well as second place overall. Together with his teammates he won the team time trial of the Vuelta a Leon (2.2). At the most important U23 stage race, the Tour de l'Avenir (2.NCup), he managed to win once. He also scored one further podium.

That he is able to play in the sandpit (considering he did some cross races during this winter, that is a fitting pun) with the big kids he proved at the Tour du Poitou Charentes et de la Vienne (2.1), with a third place at the fifth stage. He was able to sprint out Hutarovich, Rojas and Nizzolo among others.

 

Because of his young age, he has two years left with the espoirs. So he will continue his liaison with the Rabobank Continental Team for at least one year.

 

Nominated by wagenge, written by wagenge, translated by Ogkempf