Even though Rudiger Selig did not manage to win a race for the third year in succession, the 27-year-old looks positively back on his first season in the jersey of Bora-Argon 18 after four years at Katusha. 

"I was not sick or injured. In the beginning I was not really good, but things went better and better, so I am actually quite satisfied," Selig told radsport-news.com.

The German did not only work as a domestique but could ride for himself a few times. At the tour of Slovenia, he got a second place in a stage. And at the Vuelta a Espana, his Grand Tour debut, Selig was only beaten by Jempy Drucker (BMC) at the end of the 16th stage. In addition, there was a ninth place at the big final in Madrid. "Being on the podium at the Vuelta and finishing in the top ten on the final stage was the highlight," said Selig.

However, the German Championships in Erfurt where he had a free role, were disappointing for Selig who called his 24th place "modest." Shortly after the race, the next setback followed as Bora-Argon 18 left Selig out on the Tour selig. "It was a tough one for me," he admitted. On the other hand, Selig then went to the Vuelta.

The fast all-rounder will also be racing for Ralph Denk’s team in 2017 which will be known as Bora-hansgrohe and have a WorldTour license. "I want to support the team perfectly so that we can win as many victories as possible. Who stands on the podium doesn’t matter. We want to establish ourselves as one of the best teams in the world ", Selig announced with a view to the numerous prominent new signings such as Peter Sagan, Rafal Majka and Leopold König.

"Everything becomes a tad bigger and thus we will have more responsibility. And of course pressure. But I think that the fun will not be lost with our family atmosphere in the team,” Selig concluded.