After a disappointing start to the seasonwith a broken collarbone and the missed spring classics, Simon Geschke (Giant-Alpecin) got back on track at the Giro d'Italia. But things became even better as the German took the biggest win of his career at the Tour de France when he won the 17th stage in superior style.

"My season balance is good. With the stage win at the Tour I have fulfilled a big dream, "Geschke told radsport-news.com.

But to get to that great day, the 29-year-old had to travel a long and often rocky path. Due to a crash at Tirreno-Adriatico, Geschke was out for six weeks, missed the first two Ardennes classics and could only do Liège-Bastogne-Liège. "That was a big disappointment. I had big plans for the Amstel Gold Race after my sixth place last year," he explained.

The Giro d’Italia went much better as he was third and fourth on stages and wore the mountains jersey for a day. Furthermore, he secured a spot in the Tour line-up by virtue of his Giro performance.

Here Geschke benefited from the decision not to select Marcel Kittel as it made more room for him. He grabbed the opportunity with both hands as he was already fourth in stage 16. On day later his golden moment arrived. In the first Alpine stage the German attacked out of a breakaway and took a solo win in the mountaintop finish at Pra-Loup.

After the Tour de France, Geschke did the Eneco Tour where he was third in the queen stage following a strong performance. However, that was the final top result. "At the end of the year it was not so impressive. I think my race program was just a little too much," said Geschke, who ended his season at Il Lombardia after 80 days of racing.

2016 is an important year for the German for several reasons. "The first big objective are the Ardennes classics, followed by the Tour and the Olympic Games for which I definitely want to get selected," said Geschke. Furthermore, he will have to secure a new contract in his eighth year at Giant-Alpecin. Another stage victory at the Tour would increase his bargaining power.