Timmer takes a break from the breaks

By Bjorn Haake in Frankfurt a.M.

Albert Timmer is becoming a breakaway specialist. The Dutch rider for the Skil Shimano squad has been seen off the front at most of the races he has contested recently. Rund um den Henninger Turm was the latest in his 'off the front' adventures, when he took off with Gerolsteiner's Johannes Fröhlinger (who hails from Gerolstein, where Gerolsteiner has its headquarters), after the first break of the day by Björn Papstein was reeled in.

During the Scheldeprijs he was part of a long escape with Koen Barbe (Topsport Vlaanderen) and in the Amstel Gold Race he was away in a three-man move.

However, the Skil Shimano rider was not entirely happy with his escape in the German race. "The race was not so great. The beginning was good, but we didn't get enough of a gap. We stayed away for only 70 kilometres, I think."

Timmer was realistic about the break. He never thought that they would stay away until the finish, but still seemed surprised that they weren't allowed more leeway. "It was very hard in the beginning to get just to a two-minute gap," said the 23 year-old, emphasising that the peloton never allowed them a big lead, most likely due to his companion being part of the home team, Gerolsteiner.

He confirmed to Cyclingnews that his form is good, but acknowledged that "you have to be a bit lucky, too, to get into the break."

"I did a bit of jumping in the beginning and then I got into the breakaway," he explained.

Johannes Fröhlinger also had orders to be in the early breaks and Directeur Sportif Hans Michael Holczer showed his satisfaction during the race. "Johannes is doing exactly what we asked him to do. It's great!"

Timmer did end up with the mountains classification (and a giant beer mug) for his efforts, while Fröhlinger took the sprints classification.

One thing he was hoping for was more companions. "Two isn't enough. You have to have at least five, six, seven guys, then it's a lot easier." At least he scored the mountains classification, which became an objective once he was in the break. "At least it's something!" the Dutchman was happy with receiving a gigantic beer mug. The duo split the hot spots, with Timmer taking the mountains and Fröhlinger the sprints points.

Timmer is now taking a break from being in the breaks. His next race will be the Profronde van Fryslan, on May 14.