Title successfully defended - Overall win in Paris-Nice
What a way to open the season. I still can't really believe it. What a final stage. From the hunter to the hunted within 10km. This sport always produces dramatic stories. Of course I had much rather taken the win in a different way, but our sport is so diverse and even the best can make mistakes. Today Lady Luck was on my side, and I am thankful for that. But I am also thankful that despite his bad luck, Primoz congratulated me on my success. I was not sure how good my form really was. After a training block at altitude you can't directly say how you will be. But the late start in the season paid off.
After the time trial I was a little disappointed. I lost time there. I felt good in the mountains and it went better day by day. I was able to neutralize all the attacks today in the finale. Now I can go into the first Classics with a lot of self-confidence. I have a week to recover in order to be at the start of Milan-Sanremo with the needed energy.
A big thanks go to my team for their support and their belief in me. I am very proud to repeat my win from last year. Now I am facing a long racing season. Let's see what all will come. Yours, Maximilian.
Photo: Roth Foto | Paris-Nice, Stage 8 | 14 Mar 2021
2021 can come!
A special and sometimes very challenging year has ended. Of course, like everyone else, we cyclists had many uncertain moments, and often didn't know whether races would take place or not until shortly beforehand. But the safety procedures worked out, many of the biggest races took place and at the Tour de France I crossed the finish line in Paris for the first time. Sure, the crash at Lombardia, in which I broke my collarbone, was very bad luck, but overall 2020 was a very successful year for me, with my win at Paris-Nice a very special success. This and many many more big moments will come in 2021! I am ready, am in the middle of my preparations for the new season, have big goals and look forward to another year in the BORA-hansgrohe jersey. I wish you all the best in 2021! Yours, Maximilian.
Ninth place in the Worlds
Our tactics for the 258km long World Championship race worked out fine. The team protected me perfectly until two laps to go, and I could save strength for the finale. On the last steep climb, I could stay well with the lead group at first, but unfortunately not all the way to the top. It bothers me that in the end it was only 10 meters I was lacking.
The enormous pressure is over
Lennard's breakaway win on the 16th stage is a huge success for all of us. He absolutely earned this victory and is a great relief for the team, after all the setbacks we have had. The rest day was good for all of us and our hard work finally paid off. Tomorrow is the Queen Stage. That closing climb on the Col de la Loze will be incredibly hard...
We will try it again
What stages those have been the last two days. Sorry, that I didn't check in with you earlier. Especially on Friday, I was just too tired. Even if it wasn't quite enough for the stage win, we are still very satisfied with our performance. It was great to go all out like that with Lennard. We still have a week...!
