Stefan Denifl is joining his fourth team in as many years in 2013. The Vacansoleil-DCM rider, who previously rode with the Cervélo TestTeam and Leopard Trek, has signed a deal with new Swiss team IAM Cycling. Denifl tells VeloNation it was never the plan to change teams so many times.
The Cervélo TestTeam folded after Denifl spent 2010 on the team and similarly last year Leopard Trek amalgamated with Radioshack, thus making spots on the 30 rider limit hard to come by.
“I know it looks strange from outside, but I have always had good results, I did my job and was happy in all those teams and the management was [happy] too. But I would say I was unlucky how things turned out the last three years. Now I am looking forward to 2013 to this exciting new Swiss Cycling project,” said Denifl.
The Austrian describes his season at Vacansoleil-DCM as one with ups and downs. He was strong in the beginning of the year until sickness hit him. He had a solid Giro d’Italia helping teammate Thomas de Gendt finish on the podium, but then followed a period of no racing.
“But like 2011 I had a strong finish to the season with fifth place at Tour de Limousin and good shape at the World Championships with my 22nd place finish in the road race. All in all I was happy to get the opportunity to race for Vacansoleil-DCM, since it was really late in the season last year and not much spots left after the Leopard and RadioShack merger.”
IAM Cycling is applying for a UCI Pro Continental licence and have a solid line-up with the likes of Heinrich Haussler, Gustav Larsson and Thomas Löfkvist. Denifl says even though it won’t be a WorldTour team, he knows the environment will be a good one. “With Swiss guys involved, you know it’s going to be professional,” he told VeloNation.
He is looking forward to discussing his role at the team gathering in December but sees a balanced team with a lot of good climbers, like himself.
“Personally I want to work harder over the winter and try to stay healthy in the beginning of the year. I know I have talent and can show myself in many types of races. I learned a lot this year, like the years before, but one thing a friend told me which I believe was, ‘whatever you put in, comes out sooner or later.’ So I’m all in.”