Gerald Ciolek (MTN Qhubeka) was a surprise winner in 2013(Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
2013 winner Gerald Ciolek (MTN-Qhubeka) seemed happy to race in the rain again(Image credit: Stephen Farrand)
Gerald Ciolek (MTN), talking to the media after the stage.(Image credit: Ruta del Sol a Sol/http://www.rutadesolasol.es)
Gerald Ciolek is taking no risks in the South African sun(Image credit: Sadhbh O'Shea)
Gerald Ciolek says that he's not worried about a lack of opportunities in the new-look MTN-Qhubeka team. Ciolek has been the team's main sprinter since joining them in 2013 but will have to share responsibilities with the other fast-men that have joined this winter. The German believes that he will have ample chances to ride for himself in 2015.
"I think that we will have a different programme and there should be a lot of opportunities for everybody," he told Cyclingnews. "I think you need to prove your position in the team, it doesn't matter who else is in the team. It's a new situation but I'm not worried about it."
A return to the Tour de France is also on the agenda for the German. Ciolek's last appearance at the Tour came in 2011 in his first season with QuickStep. "I would love to do it again. It is one of the biggest races in the world and it would be great to be part of the story of the first African teams to make it to the Tour de France," said Ciolek. "It is still a dream for me to get a stage victory at the Tour de France."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Born in Ireland to a cycling family and later moved to the Isle of Man, so there was no surprise when I got into the sport. Studied sports journalism at university before going on to do a Masters in sports broadcast. After university I spent three months interning at Eurosport, where I covered the Tour de France. In 2012 I started at Procycling Magazine, before becoming the deputy editor of Procycling Week. I then joined Cyclingnews, in December 2013.
