Written by TD rockets at 17:59 10/4-2020
With the OCM authorities forcing Jonathan Berthelsen to retire due to 'age restrictions'!? We thought we'd take a look back at the riders and managers who have become our biggest rivals through the eyes of the Danish climber.
'Throughout my career I've been pushing hard to beat some quality climbers. The toughest battles have inevitably taken pace on the biggest of stages, at the tours...I still remember the pain in my legs when we reached Geneva after battling against Henning Olufsen at the Monte Rosa...'
The Monte Rosa was Berthelsen's hunting ground earlier in his career. Huge battles have taken place there. The GC duo of Matthias Koller and Aviv Gur caused us numerous headaches in the Swiss climbs. Rudolf Nieuwendijk would take on the duo multiple times. They would each claim the title at least once! A decent record for three unfancied GC hopefuls.
It's not only at the Monte Rosa where rivalries have been forged. The RoTM has seen a fair few battles over the seasons. The most memorable one coming during the 'Kiwi Invasion' back in season 40. Aidan Randall and Shane Austin spearheaded the New Zealanders who would wreak havoc for climbers across the globe, season after season. The nation also boasted the talents of Glen Styris and Jude Potter. A true golden generation.
'You always knew which teams would place a rider alongside you in the big moments, it didn't matter who they brought. They'd always be there fighting hard for the win'
One team who always seemed to be there were Lots o Huggin Bear. Whoever turned up for them would cause problems. Khalifa Salah was there in the early years, then the duo of Mohamed Ashour Buzbeda and Matari Kwesele would take up the mantle, causing havoc in races with their aggressive style of racing. Treaty City CC were another team who had a seemingly never ending list of riders battling for GC wins!!
'Some teams and riders would be unbelievably unpredictable. One stage they'd be out of the back, and the next they'd be out front causing serious pain to everyone else. Jesus Sahagún was one of these guys, Karro Kiuru aswell! I enjoyed racing against these riders but they are a dying breed. Maybe Augustin Hofman is the main GC favourite now who has the same style. Frota keeps telling me he can't read what that guy will do next!!'
Sometimes riders appear from nowhere. Jair Cortina was in form, going in as a favourite in Criterium la Grasse. Victory was snatched away from him by the charging Australian Carl Perry. Frustrating to say the least! When the road goes downhill, one man has been a thorn in our side ever since he appeared.... Drake Garcia. Enough said.
'When it came to the classics, without Gresham Witham and Edi Bacilieri , I'd have been a classics specialist!!'
The future seasons will bring new faces and rivalries to the table... Berthelsen has been signed as a trainer to oversee it.
'A new adventure awaits for me ... bring it on!'
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Comments
Those were the days!! Always had you guys down as the big threats, sometimes it just doesn’t work out. The sprint classification and GC podium over the seasons is still cool
Nice. Never felt I ever had the measure of your team. Neither Rorys Rovers nor us at Willunga Hill could get up and win the RotM; always felt we should have though. The irony was that we ended up winning the sprint jersey there with Kiritopa Mitchell, despite coming in with Austin in TF and chasing the podium one last time. Never looked like it!!
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