Bjorn Thurau is one of the young German cyclists that Team Bora-Argon 18 has recruited to lead them to success in 2015 and beyond, along with Dominik Nerz. Thurau spoke exclusively to CyclingQuotes.com about being a German on a team from his home country and his 2015 objectives.

He wasn’t pleased with his 2014 season, where he was winless once more while in the colours of Europcar, despite having some strong and aggressive rides in some big races.

“My 2014 season was for sure not my best! But I was able to develop and to be present at a good performance level throughout the year. What was missing was simply a victory.”

He rode an aggressive Giro d’Italia and was once more active in June, at the Tour de Suisse, where he was rewarded with the Mountains Jersey, certainly not an easy feat in a race that featured so many tough climbs and plenty of riders in from ahead of July’s Tour de France. Thurau told CyclingQuotes about what it meant for him to capture the jersey.

“It was definitely not easy. But I was smart enough to collect points day by day to get a comfortable lead so I could be sure that nobody attacks me again which worked out very well.”

Thurau says he is a rider who excels at many different attributes in cycling, but he likes to take risks and attacking from afar or by joining breakaways, like his countryman, the now-retired Jens Voigt.

“I think I am a well-balanced rider who sometimes likes to risk a bit.”

With beautiful scenery and great racing in usually good weather, Thurau didn’t hesitate to say that the Tour de Suisse was his favourite race when we asked him the question. And of course, his success there this year certainly did the race no harm in his opinion.

“There are many great races out there, but for me the Tour de Suisse is particularly splendid.”

German cycling has been through some tough times, and until 2015, no German channels broadcasted the Tour de France aside from Europsport Germany, but Thurau is freshly motivated by finally having the chance to ride for a German team.

“For me it is a new task which motivates me that in future I could be an important part in this team. And of course it is great that cycling is returning in Germany and I can do my bit to aid it.”

Thurau wants 2015 to be a year where he develops as a rider in relation to stage racing and individual stages, but as a rider without a pro win so far, the 26 year old would love for 2015 to be the year he finally breaks his duct.

“My goal for 2015 is to develop one step further, especially regarding mountains with the stage races. Furthermore I want of course to finally win a race in 2015!”