Four of our riders took part in the Puchar Marszałka Województwa Mazowieckiego race. The best of them was Stanisław Aniołkowski.

The race was held for two days – 12 and 13 June on a car track near the airport in Modlin. On the start line stood many riders. Among them there were four of our riders – Aniołkowski, Szymon Krawczyk, Karol Wawrzyniak and Damian Papierski. The round was 3.2 kilometres long. Two races were held, and the results in the final classification were determined by the number of points scored in particular rounds.

On the first day “Aniołek” took fifth place, Szymon was ninth and Damian 12th. The second day of the competition Stasiek finished in fourth place, Damian was seventh and Szymon was ninth.

– We had a chance to race on the car track. It was a very cool race. The first day gave us a hard time. Temperature over 30 degrees Celsius, full sun. It was very hard. We tried to be active from the beginning, although we had a difficult task, because there were fewer of us than rivals from other teams. On the second day I started to run away. Unfortunately, my chain got bent and I couldn’t finish in the next rounds, because it threatened to crash. For four rounds to the end the spirit of competition took over common sense and I finished. The chain broke, I was lucky not to fall down. I was left without my bike. The mechanics from the team of Mazowsze Serce Polski helped me. They lent me a bike. I won the last, double-pointed finish. To sum it up, we stretched our leg. It’s nice that everything is back to normal. I am very happy that I could feel the competition again. Racing is what I miss most now. We all want to return to a normal starting rhythm – Stasiek Aniołkowski told us.

The winner in the general classification was Adrian Kurek from the Mazowsze Serce Polski team, the second was Paweł Cieślik from Voster ATS Team, and the third Paweł Bernas also from Mazowsze Serce Polski. In the U23 two of our riders stood on the podium – Damian Papierski took second place, and Szymon Krawczyk was third. Karol Wawrzyniak was fourth.

Photo: Grzegorz Trzpil (Mazowsze Serce Polski)

Petr was the strongest in Pilsen criterium. In total, he scored 22 points, 10 more than second Denis Rugovac.

The riders had 60 laps to complete, 65 kilometres in total. Many famous riders took part in the race, including such a good riders as Zdenek Stybar from Deceuninck-Quick.

– It was a very difficult race. It was hard to ride without the support of teammates. For me this was a sprint test and I was doing well. 15 laps before the end there was a breakaway with four other riders. I collected a lot of points and controlled the race. I’m happy that I won. This is a good forecast for the upcoming season – says Petr.

Results of the Il Sano Cup

Petr Kelemen (22 points) – CCC Development Team
Denis Rugovac (12 points) – AC Sparta Prague
Ondrej Rybin (10 points) – Rafkarna Idea Cycling

We inform that out of concern for our riders health, CCC Development Team made a decision about withdrawal from croatia races – Umag Trophy, Porec Trophy i Istrian Spring Trophy.

Savva Novikov is the last rider, who join to CCC Development Team in 2020 year. Cyclist from Russia signed the contract for two years.

Novikov got interested in cycling thanks to his father and quickly felt that it is a sport for him. He has won the medal of the track European championships, but he connected his future with road cycling.. – Last season Savva showed his strength by winning the stage at Turul Romaniei and the Tour of Iran race – said Robert Krajewski, president and sport director of CCC Development Team. – He is a competitor who can ride in the mountains, but will also be a solid reinforcement of our team in sprint – added Krajewski.

– I’m glad to be part of the CCC Development Team. It is a great opportunity for me to develop and gain new experience – said Novikov. – I can’t wait for the first starts. I am convinced that together with the boys we will be a strong team and can fight for more than one victory.

Savva Novikov

Date of birth: 27.07.1999

specialisation: Mountain

Contract with CCC Development Team for 2020-2021

Savva, how did you start training cycling?

– My father was a cyclist and I really wanted to follow him. At the age of 11 I decided to give up football and try myself at cycling. I went for the first bicycle training, I didn’t ridel many kilometers then, but I knew that this is what I want to do. From the beginning I was doing quite well at races, which motivated me to keep working and so I stayed in cycling.

Do you have your idol?

– I do not have. There are many athletes whom I admire for their effort and determination in achieving the goal. I try to follow them and follow the advice they give. I believe that hard and systematic work is a recipe for being a champion.

What do you feel the best in?

– I think riding in the mountains is my advantage. I like long climbs, where I feel better and better with each kilometer and I can show my strength. I love what I do and really enjoys every race. I always give my best and it gives me satisfaction from the work done.

In the last season you showed your predisposition to ride in the mountains during Turul Romaniei. What was the last year for you?

– I started the 2019 season with a series of races in Portugal and Spain. The first part of the year was not bad, but I expected a little more from myself. I went even more motivated to the next starts, and this resulted in the bronze medal at the European Youth Championships on the track. However, the biggest success for me was winning at the royal stage Turul Romaniei and second place in the general classification. A dozen or so days later I felt equally well on the Tour of Iran, where I won the stage and general classification. I can say that it was a very successful season for me.

What do you expect from your first season in the CCC Development Team?

– I’m very excited about the upcoming season. It is new experience and challenges for me. I saw the professionalism of the CCC Development Team last year and I am very happy to be part of it. I worked hard throughout the winter and in the upcoming season I want to show my maximum potential and give as much as possible from myself.

– This year we will start the season slightly later than last year. Our calendar will include a lot of races for riders Under-23, but there will also be starts with the elite – announced the sporting director of CCC Development Team, Tomasz Brożyna.

CCC Development Team spent a several weeks on training camp in spanish Calpe, where riders were preparing for the season, which they will start at the beginning of the March. – The season 2020 will be inaugurated with two classics in Croatia. We will stand at the start of the Umag Trophy Already on March 4th, and a few days later we will start in the Poreč Trophy. In the same time a six-member team will go to the Belgian race Grote prijs Jean-Pierre Monseré. The program for the next month is also the first “stage race”, Istrian Spring Trophy – director Brożyna told about the nearest starting plans. In the next month we schedule the first stage race, Istrian Spring Trophy –  director Brożyna told about the nearest plans.

– Our calendar includes a lot of races for the U-23 category, due to the fact that most of our riders are youth. In the first part of the season, there will be races like Youngster Coast Challenge or the Carpathian Courier Race. There will also be starts with the elite, one of our goals is CCC Tour Grody Piastowskie, where the one of stages will take place in the Polkowice – noted Tomasz Brożyna.

Polish championships are one of the most important start in the season. This year fight for white-red jersey will be held in Lower Silesia, in Duszniki-Zdrój. – We are preparing the form mainly for May-June. We want to focus on this period and prepare as best as possible for the fight for the title of national champion – said Brożyna. After the championships riders will set out the second part of the season and they will start in the Course Cycliste de Solidarnosc et des Champions Olympiques, or Turul Romaniei.

For Michał Gałka, Croatian classics will be his debut in the Under-23 category. – This will be my first start with the CCC Development Team, as well as as a U-23 riderr. I worked well at the training camps in Calpe and I feel well prepared for the first races. During trainings in Spain, we had the opportunity to became as a strong team. At the beginning of the season I am focused on gathering experience and helping my teammates, but I hope that they will be successful starts for us – said Michał Gałka with optimism.

Szymon Tracz has the last year ahead of him in the youth category. The CCC Development Team rider is waiting for the start of the season. – I know I did a lot during this winter and I feel ready to fight. I did my first hard and long training sessions during the training camp with the team in Calpe. From the beginning the weather was good, and apart from cycling, we took care to do core exercises and regeneration. I think that hard work will bring results soon and we will show the strength of our team – said Szymon Tracz. – I will start the season with the Belgian race Grote prijs Jean-Pierre Monseré. The profile shows that it will be a quick and demanding start, which is a good test for me before the Istrian Spring Trophy, which will be the next item on my calendar – added Tracz.

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. 

Kamil Małecki will join CCC Team on a one-year deal. Kamil started his cycling career from cross-country and MTB, but he quickly switched to the road. He has been representing CCC since 2015. He won two stage races in this season: CCC Tour Grody Piastowskie and Bałtyk-Karkonosze. He was second in the GCs of Tour de Hongrie and Carpathian Courier Race. He also won one stage in 2017 edition of this race. Kamil is a rider who prefers one day races or short stage events. His cycling idol is Alberto Contador. Kamil admires his riding style and courage. What can be interesting -,Kamil is a huge fan of volleyball – as a young boy he also practiced this discipline.

Do you consider joining CCC Team as the biggest success in your cycling career so far?

Definitely yes. When I found out that I would join CCC Team, I couldn’t believe it. It’s hard to describe what was happening in my head back then. It was just a dream coming true. I’ve always wanted to ride for WT team and it will become a reality from January. I’m just extremely happy. I would like to thank our sport directors for their trust and the staff and boys from the current team for the work they have done for me this season. These months were amazing to me.

You started the season on a good level and your best shape came in May, when you won two stage races – CCC Tour Grody Piastowskie and Bałtyk – Karkonosze.

Together with my coach, Tomasz Brożyna, we were planning the best possible form for May – June. We had our plan, which we modified when it was necessary. And actually it turned out that this season has been very successful for me, even the best in my career, I would say. I’d been working hard all winter. Core exercises also helped me a lot, we practiced them every day during our training camps, under the supervision of our physiotherapists. I think that I made a big progress when it comes to individual time trial. I won the time trial at Bałtyk Karkonosze race and I was second in Grody Piastowskie. I have also improved my abilities to ride in mountains which allows me to fight a bit different races than before. The best example of progress I’ve made was this year’s CCC Tour. The last stage, which was crucial for GC, was a mountain stage. With the help of my teammates I managed to win. I had an advantage of one second over Maciek Paterski, who was second in GC. It was also the first GC win of a stage race for CCC Development Team. Each of us was proud of this victory.

You have been riding for CCC since 2015. For 4 seasons it was a procontinental team which meant that you had a chance to get wild cards for WT races. However, its profile has changed since 2019 – the team went to the 3rd division, but became the backroom of the world-tour CCC Team.

And that’s why I had no doubt whether to extend the contact. Sport directors have  explained to us in details what this project will be about, what are the possibilities for us – that basically each of us has a chance to join world tour team. So, there was nothing to think about. I also wanted to continue working with my coach, Tomasz Brożyna. We started our cooperation when I joined CCC in 2015. All my successes belong also to him. I think that I have become more mature in CCC Sprandi and in CCC Development Team. The team gave me a lot of motivation and they believed that I could be a good cyclist. During all this time we have had everything what is needed to become better athletes. We had properly prepared bikes, physiotherapists always did everything to help us regenerate as much as possible. The best example was day before the last stage of CCC Tour – our physiotherapist Przemek was giving me treatments until late evening. Thanks to that I probably was able to gain that one second which gave me and our team the overall win. 

Have you had the chance to talk about how the directors see your role in CCC Team?

I had a preliminary talk with director Piotr Wadecki. The details, including the race plan, will be given during training camp. The most crucial thing for me is to improve and make further progress, thanks to which I will become a better rider. I know real cycling starts at WT level. Therefore, the next season will be very important for my future. The main thing is to focus completely on cycling. Thanks to this there will be no worries about whether I will manage. I hope that I can become one of the strong elements of the team. I will work hard and do everything to make the team satisfied. Hopefully, I can stay healthy for all the season. 

What will be the biggest challenge for you next season?

I think that maintaining this systematic progress. Joining the world tour team is one thing, and maintaining an optimal shape that will allow me to fulfill my tasks well, is another. As I said – real cycling starts at the world tour level. I want this to last for me as long as possible, that’s why I don’t think what will happen in January or February, but what kind of workouts I have to do next week. I see that a few years of regular work have worked, so I just keep doing my job. I train, don’t think. I appreciate every moment spent on the bike and enjoy it. Whether it hurts or not. I just love cycling and I can’t imagine my life without it. This sport has given me unforgettable moments and wonderful emotions.

When did you realize that you want to be a professional cyclist?

I started my cycling career in Baszta Bytów cycling club. I’d raced there since I became junior. I won my first race and then I really knew then that I wanted to do cycling, because it makes me happy. Then I won several silver medals at Nationals, and those successes confirmed my belief that I had to do everything to become a professional cyclist. And in 2015 my dream began to come true, because I have joined CCC Sprandi Polkowice. However, I must admit that my first two years at CCC were simply not good. There was even a moment when I wanted to quit cycling. It was a difficult time for me, but the team gave me another chance. I knew that I had to took that chance, so I could thank the team for not stopping believing in me. A lot has changed since then – I have been systematically improving my skills, and recent months have confirmed that my career is going to the right direction.

Attila Valter finished 4th at Il Piccolo Lombardia – the last race in this season for our team. Szymon Tracz was our second best rider as he finished 14th. 

-It was my last race in this season and as its profile suited me well I was really motivated to finish it with good place. The race was really dynamic from the beginning, many riders were trying to escape and we also tried to put our rider in the breakaway. Guys, as always, helped me a lot. I didn’t feel well on the first climb but I knew it was just a short feeling and I wanted to ride in the front group – said Attila Valter.

-Then, on the final circuit I started to feel well and managed to use my power wise. On the steepest climb I dropped from the first two groups but just after that I attacked on the top and came to the front solo for last short mountain. I had good legs, after a long season the “engine” was working well. I did my best on the final sprint, but I lost podium by a half wheel. Would be great to finish in top-3 here, but thinking about how long and demanding season I’ve had, I can be happy with 4th place. Now it’s time for a fine off-season, time with family, and hopefully I’ll come back stronger for next year! – added Attila Valter.