Erdinger Alkoholfrei - Downer EDi Mining: Big name, Big hopes
Trent Carman.. leading the team in Toowoomba Images courtesy of Team Erdinger Alkoholfrei-Downer EDi Mining |
CSN caught up with Dave Carman over the weekend, Director Sportiif for Team Erdinger Alkoholfrei – Downer EDi Mining, one of 23 teams taking part in the Tour of Toowoomba which starts on Thursday.
CSN: Can you tell us a bit about the Erdinger Alkoholfrei – Downer EDi Mining team concept?
DC: Erdinger Alkoholfrei – Downer EDi Mining team focuses mainly on Queensland talent supported by Queensland sponsors. Our aim is to have the team represented in major Queensland events, and to direct riders into the National Road Series where they can compete at elite level and maybe one day move onto the International stage.
We currently have mostly U/23 and Elite riders, but have also introduced a couple of U/19s this year through our feeder team from the AUS Cycle Coaching/Velocite Bikes junior development squad.
It’s a concept which we are extremely proud of and unique to Queensland as it is financially supported by business sponsors working in with local cycling clubs which is working well and growing stronger every year..
Our philosophy is to have a team of riders who are great ambassadors for the sport on the bike and just as importantly, off the bike, which we have successfully achieved already and are extremely proud of.
Already in 2012 the team has visited schools in Queensland to demonstrate the benefits of sport and a healthy lifestyle, something we encourage and value to all ages.
We aim to produce quality riders over the next few years, which is already happening, whilst representing our wonderful sponsors, Erdinger and Downer Edi Mining.
CSN: How is team morale going into Thursday’s Tour of Toowoomba?
Photo: Reuben Donati.. Has a very impressive cycling record and capable of pulling off a win at this Tour
Copyright Team Erdinger Alkoholfrei-Downer EDi Mining DC: Team morale is going great. We had a training camp last week in Toowoomba and were able to ride the courses. This should be a tough tour and we are looking forward to the event very much. The guys get along really well with each other, and the enthusiasm can be seen whenever they are together.They are becoming more and more professional every time they get onto a bike, whether it’s racing or training hard on a camp. All is good in the team.
The guys have had great support this year which sees them surrounded by more staff- a mechanic, chef, director, team media person, team photographer and a great manager, something we have lacked previously and this makes a massive difference to the riders.
CSN: What has your rider form been like leading up to the Tour?
CSN: What has your rider form been like leading up to the Tour?
DC: It isn’t too bad. Reuben Donati has great legs at the moment, as does James Szollosi, and Ben Carman, our U/19 rider, came home from the Mersey Valley Tour in Tassie with a second place behind Caleb Ewan in the U/19 worlds selection race. Ben has improved a ton since then, so he could be a surprise for the event.
Trent Carman and Raf Vainikka are the ever reliable workers who simply never let the team down, while we’ve introduced a new rider to the team, Saxon Irvine, who is relatively new to the sport at the age of 25 but shows a ton of talent. Yes, we are looking in pretty good shape.
CSN: Has your final team line-up been announced?
CSN: Has your final team line-up been announced?
DC: Trent Carman (captain), Ben Carman, Rafael Vainikka, James Szollosi, Reuben Donati and Saxon Irvine
Manager: Scott Holmes, Director Sportif: Dave Carman, Mechanic and Chef: PKT, Media: Ree and Team Photographer: Jacko
Photo: Ben Carman... Up-and-coming prospect
Copyright Team Erdinger Alkoholfrei-Downer EDi Mining
CSN: What are your goals going into the Tour?
DC: It would be nice to see a rider in the top GC10 this year. We have the riders to do this, but it is hard work up against the likes of Genesys and Budget Forklifts. However, in saying this, our riders are not shy of mixing it with the best and more than capable of getting in the break.
Getting a rider in a winning break would be nice in any stage. It would also be great to see our U/19 rider Ben Carman up there at the Bunya Mountain finish.
CSN: What will be your team's strengths for this Tour?
DC: Our team’s strength is the overall ability of every rider. They are all capable of great rides, and this should allow us to at least get a rider to the finish of a stage and at the front when it counts. Above all, there is the knowledge that every one of our riders would be prepared lay it on the line for another team mate at any given time, and that is a very special quality to have in such a young team like this.
CSN: Will you be looking at challenging for the overall win, or just hoping to pick up stage wins?
CSN: Will you be looking at challenging for the overall win, or just hoping to pick up stage wins?
DC: We have to be realistic about overall GC. A win isn’t our aim in GC, but a stage win is certainly within our reach and one we will go for. Ask me this question about the Overall in 12 months or 2 years, and I am sure the answer will be different.
CSN: Do the stage profiles suit Erdinger Alkoholfrei – Downer Edi Mining?
CSN: Do the stage profiles suit Erdinger Alkoholfrei – Downer Edi Mining?
DC: Stage 1 & 4 will suit Reuben and James very well, and stage 2 will suit Reuben and Ben if the team can get them in good shape to the bottom of the climb.Stage 2 with its narrow roads and a great finish, should be fun. As for James, he has developed a great sprint but has had bad luck this year in quite a few Crit finishes. However, his time will come, and maybe it will be during this Tour.
CSN: What will it mean to see one of your riders climb onto the podium at any stage?
DC: Last year at the Tour of Toowoomba we had one second place podium spot in stage 3. Hopefully, we can repeat a similar feat. It would mean the world to the riders and all who are involved. It would provide our sponsors’ with great coverage and show all who have invested time and money that we can achieve what we believe we all know we are capable of.
