Team High Road Sports's Latest News

HTC-Highroad Sweeps Velonews Awards

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:00:00 -0800

Team HTC-highroad is honoured to have swept the Velonews awards for 2011.

It was recently announced that the team won the "Best Team" and "Best Women's Team" of 2011 as well as best female sprinter with Ina-Yoko Teutenberg, Best Time Trialist of the year with Tony Martin, best North American Road Racer with Amber Neben, Ina-Yoko Teutenberg as female Sprinter of the year, Mark Cavendish as male sprinter of the year and best support rider of the year Bernie Eisel.

A great way to finish the season and a very successful five years for High Road Sports.

Highroad voted Team of the Year by Readers of Cyclingnews

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 12:00:00 -0800

HTC-Highroad was announced on Thursday as 2011 Team of the Year by readers of Cyclingnews.com. The team got 39% of the votes, winning the competition with 8,434 votes.

The team finished the season with 120 wins for the year between the men and women's teams with the men winning 56 races nad the women 64. The Victories included Milan San Remo, six stage wins and the Green Jersey at the Tour de france, three gold, a silver and a bronze medal in the World Championship road events among others, nine national titles among others. 26 of the 37 team members won at least one race during the season.

"It was really nice to see the athletes winning from the beginning to the end of the season," said Team Owner Bob Stapleton. "Each year they've started winning races in early January and were still winning races in October so I'm really proud of the consistent performance and dedication from everyone in the team this year and over the past five years."

Neben and Martin Win Chrono des Nations

Sun, 16 Oct 2011 14:52:12 -0700

Amber Neben and World TT Champion Tony Martin won their respective events of Chrono des Nations this Sunday giving HTC-Highroad victories in it's final two events of operation. "It's wonderful to see the team successful again right to the very end of the season," said Team Owner Bob Stapleton. "Both the men and the women won their first race of the season in January and now they have both won the last race. It's testament to the attitude of all of our staff and riders over the years and I'm very proud of their success." Neben won the 20km women's event in a time of 27'58" over compatriot Kristin Armstrong and Olga Zabelinskaia from Russia. With the race being a 1.1 level UCI race, it was important for Neben's ranking towards the Olympic Games. "This was a great way for me to end the season," said Neben. "It was one last, important time trial, and I was motivated to do well. It was difficult to race in October, three weeks after worlds, but it was definitely worth the effort and the crazy travel. It means a lot to win. I am happy and looking forward to some rest." Martin's time of 56'20" for the 48km event smashed that of his nearest competitor by over two minutes. "I felt really good racing here and I was confident after worlds and winning in China," said Martin. "Now I'm really happy to finish the season on a high and I'm looking forward to some rest and building towards next season." HTC-Highroad finishes the season with 121 victories and 513 wins since 2008.

Martin Wins Tour of Beijing

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 04:57:36 -0700

After winning the prologue of the Tour of Beijng in his new rainbow stripes jersey on Wednesday, HTC-HIghroad's Tony Martin was able to defend the lead for the rest of the week and win the overall classification of the race on Sunday. Taking a 17 second lead on day one over David Millar gave the team a good buffer for the week ahead and Sport Director Allan Peiper was always confident that the team could defend it. “With 17 seconds and no bonifications on the road I knew we had a good chance,” said Peiper. “ “The team raced really well and were always on top of things when they needed to be,” he added. “It’s been a really nice race and I’m proud of the way the guys gave everything right up to the very end of the season.” The win was HTC-Highroad's 120th win for the season. For Martin, winning his first tour since being crowned World Time Trial Champion was something special. “Putting on the rainbow jersey was really nice and gave me a lot of confidence coming into this race. I knew I still had good form and I had a really strong team to back me up. I’m really happy that it all worked out.” Martin will return to Europe for Chrono de Nations, his last race before ending his season and another chance to wear his World Championship stripes.

Martin Opens Tour of Beijing With World Champion Form

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 09:24:12 -0700

HTC Highroad's Tony Martin crushed the competition in China on Wednesday with a commanding lead and victory out of the stage one individual time trial.

"The TT was ridden on normal race bikes with no TT helmets or full wheels," said sport director, Allan Peiper, "But it was a fast course but with a strong tail wind out, a technical mid-section and a head wind back in for the eleven point three kilometers."

Alex Dowset of Sky set an early best time far under the next best with 11.57 before David Millar from Garmin blazed to an 11.50 time with over forty nine average and looked to have the race in the bag.

"Tony was confident and relaxed at the start, wearing his World TT Champion skinsuit for the first time. He started fast and just kept developing speed running through the final head wind kilometers with the speedometer nudging 60kph constantly."

Martin came in crushing the field with a time of 11.33 at just over 50kph average.

"A great start for HTC and with no bonifications on the road and an advantage over Millar of seventeen seconds the team will defend the red leaders jerseys with a strong team to back Tony Martin."

This is Martin's ninth win of the 2011 season, six of which being time trial victories. This marks the one hundred and nineteenth win for team HTC-Highroad in their final season.

Cavendish Takes Third World For HTC-Highroad in Copenhagen

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 12:00:00 -0700

Mark Cavendish secured a world championship title for Great Britiain on Sunday and the third gold medal this week for HTC-Highroad. HTC-Highroad finished the week with five medals including gold for Tony Martin and Judith Arndt in the time trial events; Silver for Matt Goss and Bronze for Ina-Yoko Teutenberg in the road race.

After a fast race, with Great Britain spending the majority of the day controlling the peloton to reel in the break, Cavendish was delivered in good position to the final straight. He was challenged by HTC-Highroad teammate Goss in the final meters, but was able to hold them off to take his first ever world road title. Former Highroad rider Andre Greipel took the bronze medal.

"I'm really proud," said Cavendish after the race. "This has been a three year project for us. Ever since the course was announced we have been preparing for this."

"Not just me but all the guys who rode so well today and others committed to making sure we qualify a good team. A World title is something special and I'm going to wear the rainbow jersey with pride over the next year."

Martin Takes Second Gold Medal for HTC-Highroad at World Time Trial Championships

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 10:36:05 -0700

HTC-Highroad's Tony Martin dominated the field on Wednesday in the World Time Trial Championships. As the second to last rider on the start list before Switzerland's Fabian Cencellara, Martin set the fastest time at every check point, finishing one minute and fifteen seconds ahead of silver medalist, Bradley Wiggins (GB).

"The course was pretty flat," said Martin, "I normally would prefer a few climbs, but I was able to find a good rhythm and really push myself at every opportunity to accelerate."

"It was cloudy, looking like it could rain at any moment, but we were lucky the road stayed dry and I could hit the corners faster."

"I was able to catch up to David Millar (GB) which was motivating, but my morale going into the race today was quite high. I felt great from the start."

HTC-Highroad's Bert Grabsch finished fourth behind Cancellara, while Martin took his eighth win this year with five of said victories in time trials. This marks HTC-Highroad's second rainbow jersey this week, and the one hundred and eighteenth win of the 2011 season.

Arndt Takes Gold in Copenhagen

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 09:38:37 -0700

HTC-Highroad's Judith Arndt took the World Time Trial Championship on Tuesday with a commanding gap. Arndt admits to starting with high morale due to time trial victories in the recent past, though all the world's contenders were against her at once in Denmark.

"A today could not have been better," said Arndt, "I was feeling very confident after having a lot of time trial success this season, and I was feeling good physically also, after preparing my legs in the Giro Della Toscana last week."

"The bike [Specialized Shiv] was working perfectly, I didn't have to think about it, I just concentrated on having a perfect race. "

Arndt finished over twenty one seconds over Linda Melanie Villumsen (New Zealand) with Emma Pooley (Great Britain) in third, after gaining most of her gap in a technical, final ten kilometers.

"There were a lot of corners and the course was wet, but I was able to handle everything and had no mistakes or mechanical issues."

This is Arndt's first World Time Trial Rainbow Jersey, and her twelve win of this season.

Cavendish Victorious in London

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 11:14:46 -0700

The HTC-Highroad men's squad for the Tour of Britain finished in top form on Sunday, putting Mark Cavendish across the line in first and earning him the points jersey. Cavendish finished part one of stage eight just thirteen points down, making the win in part two mandatory for winning the jersey. Sport director, Allan Peiper couldn't be happier with the day's result.

"Cav had a good ride in the time trial," said Peiper, "The points competition was a priority for him so he was riding for good placement in the final stage."

"Rabobank was doing a lot of the work at the front today, and Team Sky was also controlling," Peiper continued, "But by the last kilometer Renshaw and Eisel were on top of it, and dropped Cav off in the usuall fashion for the last time."

"The crowds were great today, it was a spectacular finish for Cav in his home country, as well as for the team to finish a long tour on a high note."

This marks the five hundred and seventh win for team HTC-Highroad since 2008, and the eleventh win this year for Cavendish.

HTC-Highroad for the Tour of Britain: Lars Bak [Den] Matt Brammeier [Ire] Mark Cavendish [GB] Bernhard Eisel [Aut] Alex Rasmussen [Den] Mark Renshaw [Aus]

Becker Finishes Tuscany With a Stage Six Win

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 09:19:43 -0700

The HTC-Highroad women's team finished a very successful Giro della Toscana Femminile on Sunday with their sixth win out of seven races including the prologue. Charlotte Becker stepped up after the team pulled half of it's roster to prepare them for the World Championships in just a few days. The remaining three riders, Becker, Amanda Miller, and Ally Stacher rode aggressively in the absence of their team mates, according to sport director Ronny Lauke.

"We knew we had to get a girl in the break," said Lauke, "There were a lot of attacks, ongoing through the whole stage today."

The ninety-five kilometers from Lucca to Firenze was relatively flat with a category three climb.

"At eleven kilometers to go, Charlotte took of with two other riders and outsprinted them, it was a great win to watch."

This was the final race for Ally Stacher this season, as Becker and Miller prepare to represent Germany and the United States in World Champs with several others from HTC-Highroad. This was the one hundred and fifteenth victory for HTC-Highroad this year.

HTC-Highroad for Giro della Toscana Femminile: Ally Stacher (USA) Judith Arndt (Ger) Amanda Miller (USA) Chloe Hosking (Aus) Katie Colclough (GB) Ina-yoko Teuteberg (Ger) Charlotte Becker (Ger)

Continued Success with Double Wins in Tuscany

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 14:37:00 -0700

HTC-Highroad's Ina-Yoko Teutenberg and Judith Arndt each took a win today in the Giro Toscana Int. Femminile's two-part stage four road race and individual time trial, respectively. Teutenberg bested Monia Baccaille (Mcipollini-Giambenini), and Giorgia Bronzini (Colavita-Forno d'Asolo) in a bunch sprint after a sixty seven kilometer road race.

"Ina set a hard pace from the beginning," said sport director, Ronny Lauke, "She kept it up and held out for the right moment at the end, then just outsprinted the rest of the group."

Arndt's victory in the individual time trial makes five wins out of five stages so far in Tuscany.

"I really prepared hard for the time trial today," said Arndt, "I wanted to give it everything I had."

"It was short, at just two point two kilometers, but it was really hard because there were two straightaways and two sharp u-turns. You had to brake for each turn and then work hard to get back up to speed on the straightaways."

Arndt and Teutenberg's victories put team HTC-Highroad at one hundred and fifteen wins for the season, while continuing a remarkable winning streak with twelve wins in the past twelve days through Ardeche and the Holland Ladies tour.

HTC-Highroad for Giro della Toscana Femminile: Ally Stacher (USA) Judith Arndt (Ger) Amanda Miller (USA) Chloe Hosking (Aus) Katie Colclough (GB) Ina-yoko Teuteberg (Ger) Charlotte Becker (Ger)

Arndt Takes Stage 2 and Yellow in Tuscany

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:43:03 -0700

HTC-Highroad's Judith Arndt dominated the field today in the Giro della Toscana Femminile for a stage two win and the leader's jersey. After a clean, one hundred and thirty-seven kilometer road race, the HTC-Highroad women have won three days in a row after the team time trial prologue and Ina Teutenberg's stage on victory.

"There were a few good breaks today," said sport director, Ronny Lauke, "And a few tough climbs. There was even an echelon when we reached crosswinds toward the second half of the race, so it was a challenging stage."

"We had Charlotte in a two-rider breakaway with a rider from the German national team," said Lauke,"But the field was back together for the last climb."

"Ina Set a brutal pace on the last climb, and a lot of riders fell behind," Lauke continued, "The fifteen riders who hung on included Judith, who took off in the last three kilometers to go and no one could catch her. She won by a bike length."

Morale is high for the HTC-Highroad women, and they are motivated to keep the momentum going into tomorrow's two stages, the latter of which being a 2.2 kilometer individual time trial. This is the one hundred and thirteenth win for team HTC-Highroad this year.

HTC-Highroad for Giro della Toscana Femminile: Ally Stacher (USA) Judith Arndt (Ger) Amanda Miller (USA) Chloe Hosking (Aus) Katie Colclough (GB) Ina-yoko Teuteberg (Ger) Charlotte Becker (Ger)

Renshaw Wins Tour of Britain Stage Five

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:00:00 -0700

HTC-Highroad's Mark Renshaw was victorious today in stage five of the Tour of Britain after pulling ahead of team mate, Mark Cavendish in a sprint finish. After a difficult stage with several tough climbs, the HTC-Highroad sprinters took the first two spots on the podium in the downhill finish.

"We started out with a thirteen rider break today," said sport director, Allan Peiper, "They had a maximum gap of six and a half minutes, and a few of the main contenders for the GC were up there working hard."

"Rabobank did a lot of work to reel them in but cracked toward the end, and with the help of a few more teams we were able to bring the break back a bit."

"Somewhere between thirty and forty kilometers to go the break started attacking and fell apart, and by twenty to go, the peloton was back together with our boys up front."

"The guys did a great job controlling the front until Bernie [Eisel] got a flat. The roads were extremely narrow and without radios it took too long for us to get a car to him, so he was effectively out of the race."

"On the final kilometer, Renshaw was piloting Cavendish perfectly for the win," Peiper continued, "But in the last corner, Cav backed off and Renshaw came out of it in the lead, so he hammered toward the line and finished just ahead of Cavendish."

This is Mark Renshaw's third win of the season after his stage four and overall wins in the Tour of Qatar. The team continues on to stage six tomorrow, with Cavendish just one point down in the points competition. This is the one hundred and twelfth win for HTC-Highroad in 2011.

HTC-Highroad for the Tour of Britain: Lars Bak [Den] Matt Brammeier [Ire] Mark Cavendish [GB] Bernhard Eisel [Aut] Alex Rasmussen [Den] Mark Renshaw [Aus]

Teutenberg Takes Stage One in Tuscany

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 10:15:12 -0700

After a flat, one hundred and seventeen kilometer circuit on Wednesday, HTC-Highroad's Ina-Yoko Teutenberg bested the peloton for a sprint victory at stage one of the Giro della Toscana Femminile. With HTC-Highroad's victory in the team time trial on Tuesday, Teutenberg makes two for two at this year's race.

"There were no real threats from a break today" said sport director, Ronny Lauke, "The girls were strong in controlling the group and Ina made her move at the right time."

Teutenberg recalls, "One girl got ahead at the beginning and held a break with a max of two and a half minutes. We pulled her in at about forty kilometers."

"After the break was caught the peloton stayed together pretty much until the end, and we decided to stay out front and make it a hard race."

"The girls did a great job controlling and setting me up for the finish," Teutenberg continued, "I was out front for the last corner, and after I came out of it I took off with about two hundred meters to go."

This marks the eighth win in the past week for the women's team, and the one hundred and eleventh for the HTC-Highroad this year.

HTC-Highroad for Giro della Toscana Femminile: Ally Stacher (USA) Judith Arndt (Ger) Amanda Miller (USA) Chloe Hosking (Aus) Katie Colclough (GB) Ina-yoko Teuteberg (Ger) Charlotte Becker (Ger)

Victory in Tuscany, Prologue Team Time Trial

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 11:11:22 -0700

The HTC-Highroad women's squad opens the Giro della Toscana Femminile with a victory at fourteen seconds ahead of Russia. With young riders Ally Stacher (USA) and Katie Colclough (GB) in the lineup, this shared victory makes at least one win for every female rider with HTC-Highroad this year.

"It was a flat circuit today," said sport director, Ronny Lauke, "A very simple course that came down to setting as strong of a pace as we could and maintaining it until the end."

"Our plan was to accelerate hard at the start and keep pace steady. We had Judith (Arndt), Ina (Teutenberg) and Charlotte (Becker) pulling on the long stretches and our younger riders leading out the short sections."

With another flat circuit tomorrow, the HTC-Highroad women have one hundred and seventeen kilometers to defend their lead and keep Judith Arndt in the leader's jersey.

"We have been on a bit of a winning streak over the past ten days (Ardeche) and we plan to keep the momentum here in Tuscany."

HTC-Highroad for Giro della Toscana Femminile: Ally Stacher (USA) Judith Arndt (Ger) Amanda Miller (USA) Chloe Hosking (Aus) Katie Colclough (GB) Ina-yoko Teuteberg (Ger) Charlotte Becker (Ger)

Arndt Wins Chrono Champenois With Neben in Second

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 12:44:02 -0700

HTC-Highroad's Judith Arndt won the individual time trial at Chrono Champenois in forty-five minutes and ten seconds ahead of team mate Amber Neben on Sunday. The course was fairly flat, undulating with mild climbs and descents throughout. However, consistent headwinds and rain plagued riders throughout the start list.

"There were a lot of big names here today," said sport director Ronny Lauke, "A lot of the contenders for world's were here, and we came out on top."

"Judith performed remarkably. And to have Amber take second is especially pleasing, considering she wasn't nominated for world's by the US cycling federation."

The third and final HTC-Highroad rider to finish the ITT was Evelyn Stevens in ninth. In addition to the success at Chrono Champenois, HTC-Highroad's Chloe Hosking won the Best Young Rider's Jersey in the Ladies Tour of Holland.

This was Arndt's eighth win of the season and the one hundred and ninth win for team HTC-Highroad this year.

HTC-Highroad for Chrono Champenois: Amber Neben (USA) Judith Arndt (Ger) Evelyn Stevens (USA)

Renshaw Puts Cavendish in First for 500 Wins, Takes Second at tour of Britain

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 12:28:28 -0700

Team HTC-Highroad took it's five hundredth win since 2008 when Mark Cavendish dominated the sprint finish of the opening stage of the Tour of Britain on Sunday, after a flawless leadout from team mate Mark Renshaw. The one hundred and seventy kilometers from Peebles to Dumfries was slower than than anticipated due to weather conditions, but the team endured to put Cavendish ahead for the win in his home country.

"The whole team is very motivated for this race," said sport director, Allan Peiper, "Mark [Cavendish] in particular riding in Britain."

"It was a really wet stage. Rain going through the hills past Peebles punished us all the way to the finish, just inside the Scottish border."

"Two riders took of at the beginning and kept a gap with a maximum of four and a half minutes for almost the whole stage."

"Our boys controlled the front and worked with Team Sky to reel in the break, which they did at about fifteen kilometers to go."

"On the last corner, Renshaw let two RaboBank riders go ahead- they were going into it really fast and the wind was really strong, so he played it safe thinking they'd crash." Peiper continued, "When they made it out ok, Renshaw pulled them in and sent Cavendish across the line ahead of him."

"[Lars] Bak, [Bernhard] Eisel and all the guys did a great job keeping Renshaw and Cav up front for the whole stage, it was a very impressive ride."

The weather coming in for stage two on Monday is predicted to be far worse. The profile itself is "...not too hard," said Peiper, "But assuming it's safe enough to ride at all, there will most likely be a strong side wind on the coast toward the end."

"On a good day we can control the peloton, but never the weather."

"It's fantastic to have taken the five hundredth win today with such a performance, we are all very proud."

HTC-Highroad for the Tour of Britain: Lars Bak [Den] Matt Brammeier [Ire] Mark Cavendish [GB] Bernhard Eisel [Aut] Alex Rasmussen [Den] Mark Renshaw [Aus]

Fahlin Finishes First with Four Wins in Ardeche

Sat, 10 Sep 2011 12:00:00 -0700

After a seventy three kilometer final stage at the Tour Cycliste Féminin International de l'Ardèche on Saturday, Emilia Fahlin took her fourth win of the race, and the fifth win for the team all together. Along with Ally Stacher and Amanda Miller, Fahlin took charge in a fifteen rider break with thirty kilometers to go, then led out Miller in the last kilometer before taking the win herself.

"Emilia attacked with five kilometers to go," said sport director, Ronny Lauke, "Emma Pooley [Garmin-Cervelo] chased her down before counter attacking."

"By one kilometer to go, Pooley and Emilia got caught before Emilia and MIller made their move."

"Amanda took second today, and the best young rider's jersey."

This finishes a spectacular race for the HTC-Highroad women at Ardeche, with Fahlin's fifth win of the season and the one hundred and seventh won for team HTC-Highroad this year.

HTC-Highroad Defends Title in Britain

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 15:00:51 -0700

HTC-Highroad returns to defend their title at the Tour of Britain after Michal Albasini's overall victory in 2010. Sprinters will be crucial for several stages, and with an elite squad of six riders, HTC-Highroad is well prepared.

"We're expecting a lot of bunch sprint finishes in Britain," said sport director Brian Holm, "So we've got some good sprinters here like Mark [Cavendish], Renshaw and Rasmussen."

"We've got options for the GC as well, I expect to see Lars Bak and Matt Brammeier in contention."

"With these smaller races it's not too complicated as far as strategy. If we can get a few riders away in a break on the hilly stages, then we'll do so. And the rest will try to keep control."

"We were very successful last year, and we've learned the value of fielding solid time triallists at this race. We should be pretty well equipped for each stage."

"Cavendish is particularly motivated to perform on his home soil, but all of our squad this year is eager to keep the title. We are very close to the five hundred wins mark since 2008, we hope to reach it here in Britain."

HTC-Highroad for the Tour of Britain: Lars Bak [Den] Matt Brammeier [Ire] Mark Cavendish [GB] Bernhard Eisel [Aut] Alex Rasmussen [Den] Mark Renshaw [Aus

HTC-Highroad Defends Title in Britain

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 15:00:18 -0700

HTC-Highroad for the Tour of Britain: Lars Bak [Den] Matt Brammeier [Ire] Mark Cavendish [GB] Bernhard Eisel [Aut] Alex Rasmussen [Den] Mark Renshaw [Aus