Denifl changes from Vorarlberg to Elk Haus

By Susan Westemeyer

19 year-old Austrian Stefan Denifl has changed from one Austrian Professional Continental Team to another, going from team Volksbank to Elk Haus-Simplon, www.sport1.at announced Saturday.

The teenager said that he wanted to concentrate on his schoolwork this coming year, and that Volksbank was concentrating on international races, whereas at Elk Haus he could ride national races and keep things low-key until he finishes his education. After that, however, he will go for the U23 world championship race in Stuttgart.

"That is my big goal for the season," he said of the world championships, "because I can present myself internationally with a good result." Denifl hopes this will lead to a ProTour contract for 2008.

Denifl says that Elk Haus is not just an interim solution for him, because the team also offers good perspectives for the future. He always felt well at Volksbank, he noted, and team manager Thomas Kofler assured him that he "could come back at any time." Kofler added, "Stefan is a talented rider and we would have offered him all the freedom he needs for his schooling. He went for the financial better offer. I wish him lots of luck."