Robert Förster (Gerolsteiner) is on good form already, having won two stages in Portugal (Image credit: João Dias)
Robert Förster is in a hurry. In February, he has already stormed to two wins, both in the Volta ao Algarve. In addition, he received the green jersey for the best sprinter in the event in southern Portugal that was marred by rain and wind.
Förster told radsport-aktiv.de that this year the team had the goal to win early, "to avoid any build-up of pressure on the team." He added that for him personally, as a sprinter, the wins helped him to judge his form. "They prove that, see, it is going fine. And nice that Rebellin was able to add one on on Sunday," the German made clear that the successes of the riders are as important for the team and do not go unnoticed by the team-mates.
Förster couldn't say in percentage of where his form is ("it would be nice if I would be able to read that somewhere in numbers," he laughed) but declared that "if I am winning, I must be somewhere in the upper range."
While the race was rainy and windy at times, especially during the time trial, the advantage of racing in southern areas became clear, as at least "the rain was warm," according to Förster, who had not much trouble with the elements.
The German, who is not used to winning that early in the season, will continue to rely on Sven Krauss as his lead-out man for the sprints. His next races are the Volta ao Distrito de Santarém, again in Portugal, from March 13 to 16 and the Settimana Ciclistica Internazionale in Italy. His goal? "To get as many bouquets of flowers from pretty women as possible..."
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