Lukas Pöstlberger (Team Tirol) did so well, especially in the first half of the season, that he earned himself a professional contract with German team Bora-Argon 18 for which he was already active as a stagiaire from early August.

"I've made the step to the pro ranks. Then I can only be satisfied," Pöstlberger told radsport-news.com when asked about his 2015 season. His performance in Ireland at the An Post Ras (2.2) where he took his overall stage race win, and the stage win at the Tour of Austria (2.HC) were the highlights of a great year.

But that was just the beginning of remarkable results. The 23-year-old got another stage win in the Istrian Spring Trophy (2.2), a second place in Belgrada Banjaluka (1.2), a third place at the Trofeo Edil Z (1.2) and a second place in the mountains classification at the Giro del Trentino (2.HC). Pöstlberger achieved all those results in the first half of the season while riding for Team Tirol. During his time as stagiaire with Bora-Argon 18, he was unable to add anything to his palmares.

Pöstlberger has already set some goals for his first pro season. "I want to find my place in the professional peloton and end my first year with a solid performance. But I also want to show myself at the Austrian Championships,” he announced.