After spending many years riding with American teams, American rider Caleb Fairly has spoken to VeloNews about how he is fitting in at German WorldTour team Giant-Alpecin.

“There are differences in the cultures. It’s definitely more Dutch or German; it’s also very relaxed. I am fitting in nicely,” Fairly told VeloNews. “At the same time, it’s very structured and organized. I like it so far. They are very punctual, very specific. I can say there is never any confusion about what’s going on, or what your job is that day. That’s good for riders.”

But he has had fellow Americans Lawson Craddock, Chad Haga and Carter Jones on the team to help him adjust, with Haga and Craddock both coming from Texas, like Fairly. Having ridden with HTC-Highroad in the past, Fairly also knows the team’s star Classics man John Degenkolb very well.

“I’ve known John since the High Road years, he’s a really great guy. Everyone gives 100 percent when those guys are in the race. You also get fitness pretty fast when you’re out there hammering away.”

As a climber in a sprint orientated team, he says he has had to adjust to life leading out riders and spending kilometers working on the front, but with the changes to GC in recent years for the team with Tom Dumoulin and Warren Barguil, he is finding his feet.

“There is a still a really big focus on the sprints, with Kittel, Degenkolb, and Luka [Mezgec], there are so many guys who can win in the sprints. They are starting to focus more in the GC and stage races, so that’s where I hope I can help out,” Fairly explained. “My goals are little bit later in the season, helping guys like Warren, Tom, and Simon Geschke, in some of the Ardennes, or the stage races.”