November 2019

News

Attila Valter joins CCC Team

From the following season Attila Valter will be representing CCC Team. Hungarian is the third – after Michał Paluta and Kamil Małecki – CCC Development Team rider who will join World Tour team. This season Valter won the stage at Tour de l’Avenir and also became Hungarian champion in individual time trial (in the elite and in the U-23). Attila had started riding a bike at the age of three. A year later, he stood at the start of his first race. He has been always supported on his cycling path by his dad – Tibor Valter, who also raced in the past. Attila is a typical climber, his cycling idol is Alejandro Valverde.

Attila Valter
12.06.1998
climber
rides for CCC Development Team in this season

How would you describe this season?
This season was by far the most interesting, demanding but also the most successful in my whole career. I have achieved more than I expected. I have been extremely motivated since the beginning of this year. I was aware that CCC Development Team is the best place for me to became a better rider. I’ve had a proper calendar with good races, well-worked preparation period. The crucial thing was that I had a chance to learn from more experienced riders like Michał Paluta, Kamil Małecki, Patryk Stosz and Piotrek Brożyna. They were supporting me all the season and also thanks to them I was able to stand on the podium so many times. As a CCC Development Team rider I won a stage on Istrian Spring Trophy, Gemenc Grand Prix I. Moreover, I was 3rd in GC of Tour of Antalya, Belgrade – Banjaluka and Tour de Hongrie. Additionally, I became Hungarian champion in ITT and won stage at Tour de l’Avenir. I have never thought my season would be so successful.

What was the most important win in this season?
The most important was the victory at Tour de l’Avenir on stage 9. It was one of the hardest races in my life – long and demanding. Moreover, it was a solo win, so I was racing alone for last 8 kilometers. I managed to win among the best U-23 riders and it’s still hard to believe. Every year only the best-ones win stages in this race and I got a great amount of applause from all around the world. Easy to say it’s my most important victory ever. I am also sure that this was quite important factor when it comes to my promotion to CCC Team.

How you changed as a cyclist during this season?
I see quite a big change in my racing skills but also my personality and mentality have changed during this season. Definitely, I’m much better rider – I’ve improved my endurance, climbing skills, I learned  a lot when it comes to riding and positioning in the peloton. I feel that I’ve became more mature, I’ve gained a lot of valuable experience. It was good to be in a foreign team, I had to focus on everything because all the things were new for me and I’m happy I’ve also completed this task well. I feel I had a good spot in the team. I would like to thank everybody – directors, riders, staff for all their support.

How do you feel about joining WT team and what are your goals for the next season?
Joining the World Tour Team is the biggest thing in my life! If two years ago someone had told me that I’d join WT team so quickly I wouldn’t have believed in this… And here I am know.  A new part of my life is going to start, but I think I am ready for it. As a rider I am in the best place to enter the most elite league of cycling. I’ve already set some goals for myself, but the most important thing is the team – so I’m ready to help and support my teammates. This would be an unique opportunity – to have a chance to ride with and learn from such experienced riders like Olympic champion – Greg Van Avermaet. I am also looking forward to meet Kamil Małecki and Michał Paluta. So hopefully – the best is yet to come.
News

Petr Kelemen joins CCC Development Team 

Petr Kelemen will be representing CCC Development Team from next season. The Czech rider will join the team on two-year deal. 

He came from a cycling family – his father used to be a cyclist and his brother choosed track cycling. Petr started riding BMX when he was 5. Then, after several years, he decided to switch to the track. As a teenager Petr became fascinated by road cycling and now he tries to combine those two disciplines: road and track. In his free time he likes watching ice hockey and football. As a junior, Petr won Czech championships in road race. 

– Petr Kelemen is a cyclist with a big potential. We appreciate his abilities when it comes to ride against the clock. He can also perform well on one-day races. Moreover, as a bunch sprinter from smaller groups, not only he can sprint himself but also can help other riders like for example Stasiek Aniołkowski. We are looking forward to seeing what Petr can do with us next two years – said Robert Krajewski, president and sport director of CCC Development Team.

– I have to say that I’m really happy and excited that I’m going next months in CCC Development Team. After World Championships in Yorkshire I had two offers but I didn’t hesitate and chose the one from CCC Devo. I would not find another such a professional and well-equipped team on a continental level. This is the best place for a young rider to develop. Moreover, I’ve been following the team during whole season, so I know that it is a really strong group of riders, with 19 victories in this season. I also really liked the calendar and the fact that the team was able to participate in good and demanding races. I am really looking forward to next season. I am sure that after winter training camps we will manage to build strong team with good spirit and that we will be able to fight for victories – said Kelemen. 

Petr Kelemen

born 18.11. 2000

time trialist, classic rider, bunch sprinter

2-year deal with CCC Development Team 

Do you remember how your cycling career started? 

Yes, I was five and together with my brother we were riding BMX. It was our father who encouraged us to practice this discipline, as he used to be a cyclist. After 6 years I decided to try something new and I switch to track cycling. My brother did the same and since then he has been concentrating only on track. In the beginning I focused on sprint disciplines and when I was a junior it came out that endurance competitions are better to me. 

And road cycling? When it came out that this would be your main discipline? 

Funny thing, but it’s really hard to choose one, particular reason. I remember that I was a teenager, still a junior and I used to watch big races like Tour de France or classics. And I just felt that this is what I would like to do in my life. The atmosphere, fans – all those things happening around such events are really fascinating. In the beginning it was really demanding for me as on track it’s mainly about high speed and fighting for a good position. As I came from track, I thought that I might be a sprinter but as I mentioned before – I started to do more kilometers, focusing on endurance… And  now, I can say that I’m quite good time trialist, I also feel well as a bunch sprinter from a small group. I think that classic one-day races can suit me well. When it comes to my climbing skills – still there is a lot of things to improve especially when it comes to long climbs. 

How is your cycling role-model? 

Zdenek Stybar. I think that I can say that he is a friend of mine and we often train together. He is really determined rider and what is more – ha always gives his best for the team. 

What is your biggest cycling dream? 

Definitely, I would like to join WT team in the future. I really want to take part in races like Milan – San Remo or Tour de Flanders. These are my favorite, actually. I hope that in CCC Development Team I’ll be able to make a step forward, become better rider and finally be able to compete at world-tour level. 

And your biggest success so far? 

I think it’s green point’s jersey I won at Junior’s Nation Cup Tour du Pays de Vaud. I also was Czech champion as a junior in RR and I had also a chance to represent my country on European and World Championships. My last season was also quite good for my – even though it was my first season in U-23 category. I spent in at World Cycling Center and it was some kind of a probation. I was 4th at stage of Ronde de l’Izard and two times I finished stages in top-15 at Tour de l’Avenir. 

What are your expectation for next seasons which you are going to spend in CCC Development Team? 

I have to say that I’m really happy and excited that I’m going next months in CCC Development Team. After World Championships in Yorkshire I had two offers but I didn’t hesitate and chose the one from CCC Devo. I would not find another such a professional and well-equipped team on a continental level. This is the best place for a young rider to develop. Moreover, I’ve been following the team during whole season, so I know that it is a really strong group of riders, with 19 victories in this season. I also really liked the calendar and the fact that the team was able to participate in good and demanding races. I am really looking forward to next season. I am sure that after winter training camps we will manage to build strong team with good spirit and that we will be able to fight for victories. I can promise that I will do my best to support the guys who will be our leaders for particular races. I also hope that I’ll also have a chance to ride Tour de l’Avenir next season.