After several years at the continental level, Stefan Schumacher will return to the professional ranks when he joins CCC Polsat-Polkowice. The German will focus on time trials, shorter stage races and the classics in his first year with the Polish team.

Crashes, illnesses, a small racing calendar and often with bad luck in the races. The 2014 season was not always as Stefan Schumacher (Christina Watches) had hoped.

"I am far from being 100% satisfied even though my form was often okay," the 33-year-old told radsport-news.com.

But Schumacher also had positive moments, highlighted by his two wins which were both obtained in time trials.

"I have shown that I still have what it takes," the all-rounder said about his victories in the Grody Tour in Poland and the Tour de Beauce in Canda.

In particular, the success in Poland was doubly important for Schumacher.

"In the last two years, I have been a close second in that time trial. Now it was time to win there," said Schumacher who on the home soil of the Polish pro continental CCC Sprandi - Polkowice emphasized himself strongly which ultimately secured him a spot in the team for 2015.

It is no conincidence that Schumacher took his wins in time trials.

"Like in the past, I focus much on this discipline and I belong to the best there," he said. Schumacher had also prepared a lot for the German TT championships but due to injury he missed out on the race in Baunatal. "That was a low point, " he said about his involuntary absence..

Schumacher also regretted that he only did a small number of UCI races at Christina Watches.

"The difficult races are important to me. In the Volta a Portugal, I saw how this challenging race was good for me after my long break. I got better day by day and in the end I was able to achieve a third and fourth place," he said before adding. "In that race they rode like it was the Tour de France."

Now Schumacher is looking forward to joining CCC Sprandi - Polkowice where he will be reunited with his former teammate Davide Rebellin and again will have the chance to do WorldTour races. In addition to the time trials, he wants to fucus on smaller stage races and the classics in the coming season.

"I also hope to start races like Bayern Rundfahrt or Tirreno-Adriatico," said Schumacher who is optimistic that he will be able to compete with the best. "From the outside, the past season was not spectacular but I am in good shape," he announced.