Team Vorarlberg draws positive interim balance after first race block despite retirements!
Team Vorarlberg draws a positive balance after an intensive first racing block
The Austrian UCI Team Vorarlberg can look back on an eventful and largely successful first race block of the 2026 season. The Rankweil-based team proved ready from the start and presented itself as a cohesive unit that also knows how to deal with setbacks.
Strong start to the season with highs and challenges
The start at the Tour of Sardinia was promising: Team Vorarlberg was able to put in an excellent performance with top placings (5th and 8th) against the World Tour and UCI Pro teams and put in a solid performance. The following races in Croatia, including the Porec Classic, Umag Trophy and the demanding Istria Tour, were tough and intense. Team Vorarlberg also proved its class here with some top ten finishes, but also had to cope with a few crashes that did not always leave the squad unscathed.
An absolute highlight of the first race block was the great victory of Tobias Nolde in the Austrian Cycling League. This success not only underlines the individual strength of our riders, but also the overall strong team performance across the board, which once again manifested the philosophy of “Cycling at its best”.
Summary: Strong start despite injury-related absences
Team Manager Thomas Kofler draws a positive conclusion: “We have shown our potential in this first part of the season and could see that the riders have worked well during the winter. Despite unfortunate crashes and temporary setbacks, the team keeps fighting its way back. That speaks for the character and depth of our squad. Our leader Colin Stüssi struggled with a knee injury and the flu, but is now back on his bike and on the way to regaining his old form. Giacomo Ballabio is also currently suffering from a viral illness. Pirmin Benz is suffering from a hand injury after a crash in Leonding, which will unfortunately keep him out of action for a little longer. Also Philipp Hofbauer has been slightly ill recently. Fortunately, however, all riders are on the road to recovery and are working hard to get back into racing action. We are looking forward to the upcoming tasks with confidence.”
Looking ahead: Circuit des Ardennes UCI 2.2 in France is calling
There is only a short time to take a deep breath, as Team Vorarlberg is already preparing for the next intensive stage of the race. Next week, the Circuit des Ardennes (UCI 2.2) in France (April 8 – 12) is the next challenging stage race on the program. Info 52nd Int. Circuit des Ardennes
https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/circuit-des-ardennes-international/2026
Team Vorarlberg wishes all partners, fans and friends a happy Easter and thanks them for their great support!
Cover picture TEAM WORK Picture 1 Giacomo Ballabio_Dominik Röber Picture 2 Team Vorarlberg in leading Picture 3 Team Presentation Picture 4 Homerace for Ignazio Cireddu
Press Service Team Vorarlberg
www.team-vorarlberg.at
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