- Celebratory Gathering in Alpe d'Huez: German Squad commemorates Tour Triumph
A magnificent summer day concluded with an unexpected bash following a nail-biting four-second triumph, which Ronny Lauke conveniently found a space for. Perched atop the renowned ski resort of Alpe d'Huez, most hotels were shut, but one hotel managed to open its bar for the German cycling team, Canyon-Sram. The celebration of Katarzyna Niewiadoma's unexpected win at the Tour de France Femmes lasted until 2 a.m.
"This was a whole new level of adrenaline," team manager Lauke told dpa. With a mere four-second lead, Niewiadoma claimed the year's most prestigious title, beating Dutch defending champion Demi Vollering, who had assaulted Niewiadoma early on, aiming to close the 1:15 minute gap. "It was like a rollercoaster ride on the road. We were on edge for two hours. From my memory, it was the most thrilling cycling race I've ever lived through," Lauke shared.
In the car with Erik Zabel
Niewiadoma placed fourth in Alpe d'Huez but emerged as the real victor. "In the end, it's just four seconds for us. That's just phenomenal. I can't think of another word to describe it," Lauke raved. His top rider was rewarded for an incredible effort. "The last kilometer was insane, so brutal. I have no words for how I felt at the finish," recalled Niewiadoma.
Lauke has been leading the Leipzig-based team, Canyon-Sram, for nearly nine years. In his role as CEO, he has taken a step back from the sports leadership. With just two vehicles per team allowed at the Tour, the Brandenburg native was present and shared a ride with Erik Zabel, who represents the team's sponsor.
Sponsors renew agreements
The team of the 47-year-old is not one of the wealthiest teams in women's cycling. Before the Tour, they ranked sixth to eighth financially. However, the main sponsors had already agreed to continue their partnership, alongside an increase in the budget. While Canyon-Sram is not financially at the top yet, it has now entered the elite club of four top teams.
When Lauke first joined women's cycling, teams like SD Worx, where Vollering rides, attracted top talents with hefty salaries. Lauke has successfully broken this trend and signed one of the top riders in Niewiadoma. "Nevertheless, we still have to be innovative in talent development," Lauke admitted.
The Tour de France Femmes is gaining momentum. In Ricarda Bauernfeind (24) and Antonia Niedermaier (21), Lauke has two promising German talents under contract for stage races. They could potentially challenge for the Tour title in the future. Bauernfeind failed to participate due to a knee injury, while Niedermaier was given a well-deserved rest due to her heavy racing schedule. "We want to nurture their talent and look forward to enjoying their success for many years," Lauke shared.
The development of the Tour, held in this format for the third time and independently from the men's race for the first time, is also encouraging. "Of course, the big question was whether women's cycling would still be able to attract an audience after the European Championships, the Tour de France, and the Olympics." Lauke pondered. "The organizers were delighted with the response, and we too are pleased with our experience in the car."
The final in Alpe d'Huez was watched by an average of 1.38 million viewers on ARD, corresponding to an 8.7% market share. The Tour de France Femmes was broadcast on free-to-air television for the first time by Saarländischer Rundfunk. Sports director Uli Fritz hopes for a surge in popularity similar to women's football. "It took its time, and today it is widely popular with the audience."
In recognition of Katarzyna Niewiadoma's triumph, the Canyon-Sram team celebrated late into the night at a hotel in France. Despite most establishments being closed, the team managed to find a lively spot in Alpe d'Huez, the famous French ski resort.
