Silvio Herklotz (Team Stölting) has already been regarded as one of the biggest German stage race talents for several years. Due to health issues, however, the 21-year-old could only rarely show his talent in the past season.

"The season did not go as I had imagined. It's good that it's over," Herklotz told radsport-news.com. "That's sport: illness, injury - maybe you sometimes have to go through things like that to come back stronger.

Herklotz had a good start and in the middle of March ge finished the Istrian Spring Trophy in third place.On the Croatian peninsula, he also finished second and fourth in stages. There were also two top ten results in the Italian U23 one-day races and a second place at the U23 Liège-Bastogne-Liège where he maybe missed out on victory when he was less off course.

"In the Istrian Spring Trophy and Liège-Bastogne-Liège I could have won if I had had less bad luck and so these races are not real highlights," Herklotz said about his two best results.

After good performances in Poland where he was on the podium in two stages and fifth overall at the U23 Carpathian Couriers Race and seventh at the Grody Tour (2.2), Herlotz' nightmare started.

"In May, I had to skip the Tour of Bavaria due to strong knee pain which was caused by a crash. When the knee was good again and I was optimistic and full of anticipation for the summer and the second half of the season, I was set back by a protracted virus that took me out of the German Championships in Bensheim and the Giro della Valle d'Aosta a few weeks later," said Herklotz who then had to take a two-month break and only made a short comeback at Münsterland Giro in October. Lyckily, he managed to finish his last race of the season - which was also his last in the Stölting jersey.

For obvious reasons, the German U23 champion from 2013 wasnts to forget the past season quickly and already his eyes on 2016 when he will make his pro debut with Bora-Argon 18.

"The complete package at Bora-Argon 18 simply suited me the best even though there were other offers, especially from the WorldTour. In discussions with the team management I always had the impressions that they are serious with me are are very interested in a careful develelopment. On the other hand, I also have to show myself in the races," he explained his choice which was also influenced by the staff policy and the racing program at Bora.

Herklotz could have moved to the second division with Team Stölting which will merge with the Danish Cult Energy team. However, the German had made his choice earlier. "The merger came rather late and unexpectedly for me. At that point, everything was ready with Bora-Argon 18," said Herklots.

Now he wants to find his position in the pro peloton. "The level will be very different from what I know from the continental teams and the U23 ranks," Herklotz said and then added confidently: "In any case, I believe that I can build on his past performances. And I continue to feel good."