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Ralph Denk: I want to welcome you at the team base in
Kelmis. It's part of our team philosophy that some riders are living here together between
the races and also train together. They should not only meet at the races. It's important
for us that they are not only professionals but also enjoy what they do and have a passion
for that.
Michael Schwarzmann: Not only riders of Team NetApp live in Kelmis,
also Robert Wagner of Leopard Trek and Simon Geschke from Skil. Sometimes we train together.
Andreas Schillinger: Jens Heppner arranged this house completely
new last year, it's really nice. We also have a huge garage where we can wash the clothes
and where the bikes are. It's a perfect place for a teambase.
Jens Heppner: Having a team base you can reduce travel costs,
also it is a good place for training: you
have the Eiffel mountains and Ardennes which are not far away and also flat courses in
the Netherlands. Furthermore the airports of Brussels, Düsseldorf and Cologne are not
far away. And of course we have a lot of races located in Belgium and Netherlands.
Andreas Schillinger: When I came here last year it was the first
time living together with teammates. We got to know each other really well, not only regarding
the races. We had to learn how to live together.
Michael Bär: You can be by yourself if you like but also
spend time together. And the service course is here which is an advantage when the mechanics
can help you immediately.
Andreas Schillinger: Last year we had been eight riders living
here, this year it is a little less which I prefer. But of course you always have to
organize the household, everyone has his job.
Michael Schwarzmann: I already cooked for lunch, tonight we'll
have some salad, that's all.
Andreas Schillinger: Privacy? First of all we are here to prepare
for the races…
Eric Baumann: Who needs women anyway!
Ralph Denk: The team base existed right from the
start last year. But this year we also have rent an apartment for the staff, the mechanics,
physics and docs. If we are able to reach World Tour we will probably need a bigger
service course and more cars and trucks. The infrastructure is very good for the moment
but will grow accordingly to the growing team next year.
Eric Baumann: In the springtime when I compete at the Belgian
races I come to Kelmis often. But generally I prefer to live in Leipzig with my family.
Michael Schwarzmann: I like to ride in the Eiffel most or if it's
raining to the Netherlands, because there the weather is better most of the time.
Jens Heppner: Of course there are some problems among the
riders sometimes. Some riders are only 19 years old, some around 30, I think that's
why. But they should handle these problems theirselves, they also have to do this in
the races even more since the ban of radios.