Finally another big race with German fans. I want to build on my performance at the Cyclassics from last year and of course do it better. A sixth place leaves room for improvement. After the Tour of Poland, where I pushed and tested myself, and built up my self-confidence with the sprint jersey and the sprints, the chances are good that together with my team I can bring in a better placing. At any rate I am motivated and look forward to the race. Hamburg is cool.

You can already say that I am ambitious. And Andre Greipel is also at the start. Hopefully we will go against each other in a sprint. But I am not going to put too much pressure on myself. That would be the worst thing to do in my situation. Of course I would like to do all I can to change the overall tone of the season. But that is not really possible, without having ridding a big part of the races in the first part of the season and also the Tour. I have to file this year under “shit happens”. Those who know me know that I want to win every sprint. So maybe it will work out and and I will again come into my usual routine.

Photo: vattenfall-cyclassics.de