Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner) (Image credit: Brecht Decaluwé)
Formula One's Michael Schumacher is the fastest German on four wheels, and apparently Stefan Schumacher is trying to be the fastest German on two wheels. The Gerolsteiner rider, who has no family ties to Michael and Ralf whatsoever, finished 14th in Saturday's Giro time trial, only 13 seconds behind the leader. "A super beginning," said the 24-year-old. "It was worthwhile to have studied the course so meticulously. I had hoped for a place in top ten, but it surprised me a little that it worked out so well. I am totally satisfied." And that's not the end of his plans for the Giro. Would he like to go after the pink jersey? "Why not? I am in good shape and will certainly try for it," Schumacher said.
Schumacher's performance didn't surprise teammate Robert Förster. Writing on Radsportnews, "Frösi" noted that he, Schumacher and three other teammates checked out the route on Saturday morning. "Schumi blasted up the hill five times. I thought then, the guy is going to do something today..." And Förster expects more from his teammate in the coming days: "Schumi is already very strong. And he is an allrounder, he can time-trial, does well in the mountains and can even sprint. He's like Valverde. He'll show something in the next days, just wait!"
In Sunday's stage two of the Giro d'Italia, Schumacher sprinted to 11th place behind winner Robbie McEwen.
