After 15 seasons of complete and utter loyal service to TB, Alan Michelsen, team captain for over 6 years, has finally called it a day and retired from Professional Cycling. A sad day for TB, one of the teams greatest riders to date and a key reason for the teams change in focus towards cobbles.
Michelsen was born in the city centre of Copenhagen and learnt the art of "cobbling" at a very early age. However Michelsen was genuine all-round talent a nifty sprinter and pretty decent in the Hills and descents - probably helped by his family cycling holidays to Norway (his mother was from Hell in Central Norway). As a teen, Michelsen was often seen racing through the streets as a grocer delivery boy and it was from one impromptu ride he literally bumped into future manager Barry Martin who seeing his great potential quickly signed him up in the Youth Development Team at TB for S33 and he...
Read moreAfter 15 seasons of complete and utter loyal service to TB, Alan Michelsen, team captain for over 6 years, has finally called it a day and retired from Professional Cycling. A sad day for TB, one of the teams greatest riders to date and a key reason for the teams change in focus towards cobbles.
Michelsen was born in the city centre of Copenhagen and learnt the art of "cobbling" at a very early age. However Michelsen was genuine all-round talent a nifty sprinter and pretty decent in the Hills and descents - probably helped by his family cycling holidays to Norway (his mother was from Hell in Central Norway). As a teen, Michelsen was often seen racing through the streets as a grocer delivery boy and it was from one impromptu ride he literally bumped into future manager Barry Martin who seeing his great potential quickly signed him up in the Youth Development Team at TB for S33 and he has stayed ever since.
Michelsen made an immediate impression in the U23 and was quickly promoted to the senior team in S36. He struggled initially for the first 3 years, picking up a number of places but making no big impression on the squad. This was to change in S39 with his first senior win. Further podium finishes in S40 and S41 led to his promotion to team captain in S42 and from here he has never looked back clocking up team's highest ranking of 849th in S45, 3 wins, 16 podium places and over 42 places. A truly remarkable achievement for a good quality mid-division rider.
It was not only on the bike where Michelsen provided added value. Essentially a very dour, quiet individual, he was an astute tactician and meticilous in race preparation. He also spent a lot of time with TB technical and tactical teams as the team transitioned from a climbing to a cobbling outfit. Michelsen was instrumental in this. Team Manager Barry states - "Michelsen has left a huge legacy - it was his innovation and foresight that have prepared the ground for other TB cobblists like Spearman, Trorbaugh and Walsh to take on the mantle - he will be sadly missed but he leaves us with an exciting future".
Michelsen's tactical ability will put him in good stead as he now transfers to the TB coaching staff.
Key Stats:
Highest ever Ranking: 849th (S45)
Best Podium Performance: 7th - Budapest Meeting Point (D6, S46)
Highest ever Divisional: 21st Savannah Criterium (D5 S48)
Performance
Best Div5 Performance: as above
Best Div6 Performance: as above
Best Div7 Performance: 1st Nis Cycling Grand Prix (S46)
Best Div8 Performance: 1st Michal'any - Vranov nad Top'ou (S39)
Best Div9 Performance: 8th Barranquilla - Cartagena (S37)
Best Div10 Performance: 3rd KJGP (S34)
Best Div11 Performance: Not competed
Best ND Performance: 1st Vuelta al Valle (S34)
Tour Record
Oryx (D6)
Best GC: Not recorded
Best Av. Place: S44 26th
Best Stage Perf: S44 7th Oshakati-Namutoni Stage 1.
Sanraizan (D7)
Best GC: Not recorded
Best Av. Rating: S45 49th
Best Stage Perf: S45 6th Nagoya-Kyoto Stage 1.