Having been described as one of the biggest talents in the world, Bob Jungels got his professional career of to a fantastic start in 2013. With four wins already on his palmares, the Luxembourger has now set his sights on developing into a great stage racer in the future.
Few riders have carried more expectations on their shoulders when they lined up for the first professional race than Bob Jungels. With wins in the Paris-Roubaix, Flèche du Sud, Le Triptyque des Monts et Châteaux and the National Championships during his time as a U23 rider, he had proved that he had the potential to become one of the best riders in the world and several riders showed interest in signing the huge talent.
In the end, Jungels chose to stay in his native Luxembourg when he signed a contract with Radioshack which was owned by his compatriot Flavio Becca. And despite being just 20 years of age in his first year in the professional ranks, he proved that he had attracted so much hype for a good reason.
Already in February, he won the GP Nobili Rubinetterie when he was the lone survivor from a long-distance breakaway. In June, he won the final stage of his home tour in Luxembourg and would even have finished on the overall podium if he hadn't been given a time penalty. A few days later, he won both his national time trial and road race championships and he showed his strength in the race against the clock by finishing in the top 10 in several time trial throughout the year.
Unsurprisingly, Jungels is satisfied with his first year as a professional.
The victory in Nobili and the fifth stage in the Tour of Luxembourg have been the “best” ones," he said in an interview with Cafe Roubaix when asked to describe his wins. "Every victory is of course nice, but I think the way I won these two races made them special. Also, I’m very happy for progressing a lot on my tactical level and on my general skills in the races."
One of the major highlights for Jungels in 2014 was his participation in the Paris-Roubaix where he rode in support of eventual winner Fabian Cancellara. Due to his versatility, Jungels can excel in all kinds of races but with a dedicated focus on his climbing, he expects to stay away from the cobbled classics in the future.
"Paris-Roubaix was one of the best experiences for my this year," he said. "We had obviously a lot of pressure with Fabian as leader and in the end everything went well! I won’t forget it, but I think I’ll focus more on the Ardennes Classics in the next years, I think these races suit me better and I will maybe have more chances to get a good result than in Flanders or Roubaix. But I won’t close that door for the future."
In 2013, Jungels proved that he can climb well, finishing 16th in the Clasica San Sebastian and performing well in several stage races. Due to his good time trial, he has the potential to shine in stage races and this is what he will aim for in the coming years.
"I will focus more on the stage races and the hard one-day races, such as the Ardennes Classics or the Clasica San Sebastian," he said. " I would like to get more experience in World Tour stage races, like Paris-Nice, and why not, in a Grand Tour. To be competitive in the Grand Tours, I need to improve my climbing skills, I think that will be the main focus, but of course I’d like to improve also my time trial."
That focus is reflected in his race schedule.
"I will start in the Tour of Dubai and then I’ll go to the Tour Méditerranéen, Paris-Nice, Critérium International, Tour of Basque Country, Ardennes Classics, Tour of California and Tour of Luxembourg," he said.
Jungels will be part of the Trek team in 2014.
30.03: The Bueng Si Fai |
30.03: Gran Premio Miguel Indurain |
30.03: Volta Limburg Classic |
31.03: Ronde van Vlaanderen |
31.03: Ronde van Vlaanderen |
29.03 - 01.04: Ster van Zuid Limburg |
01.04: Gran Premio del Perdono |
01.04: Ronde de Mouscron |
01.04: Giro del Belvedere |
02.04: G.P. Palio del Recioto |
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