Knees shoots for the Ardennes

Christian Knees of Milram is targeting the Ardennes Classics this year. He discovered last year that he could do well there and has specifically prepared for them this year. He will use the upcoming Paris-Nice to fine-tune his level for the upcoming races in Northern Europe.

Knees was happy he rode the Ardennes races last year, which was only to balance out the Classics programme. "I am really looking forward to the Ardennes Classics. So the main point of my preparations this year have been for the Ardennes Classics," he said on the team's website, team-milram.com. Knees added that there is one race above all, though. "My absolute top goal is and remains my fourth Tour de France participation. I absolutely want to be there and I will do everything I can to accomplish that."

Knees has started the season in relatively good form, even if hasn't had good results yet. " I am satisfied with my performance in the Tour Down Under. Up until my cold before Haut Var I kept on improving. Something like that never comes at a good time, of course, but this early in the season it's not so bad.

Knees has put his Paris-Nice crash from last year behind. "I crashed on a wet descent in the rain. That can happen to any cyclist." He was sorry to have to drop out then, due to the crash aggravating an earlier injury along with an untimely cold. "I am not afraid of another crash. You have to block out that kind of memory and put it behind you."

Knees sees his position in the team the same as before. "With Linus {Gerdemann] and Gerald [Ciolek], we have two new captains and although I was the second captain last year, I don't see myself at a disadvantage." He sees it less important who the captain is but more important to do a good job. "In the last few years I have gathered a lot of experience, which I now use."