Schelling took fifth in Red Hook Criterium Milano
08/10/2018
Last Satruday our Ide Schelling competed in the Red Hook Criturium in Milano and took home a fifth place overall against some of the strongest in the discipline. The young Dutchman showed his class from early on and qualified for the final as the second best rider out of 80. In a hard-fought effort in the big race, Schelling put on a great performance and not only was named the most combative rider, but also he took the first special sprint and rolled in fifth overall. “The Red Hook Criterium in Milano was an experience like never before. The whole event is super well-organized and the feeling I had during the final with thousands of fans screaming non-stop in the side of the road was something I never felt before. It is just an amazing experience, way bigger than what most people think”.
Schelling, who had a strong 2018 on the road as he took fourth in Liège-Bastogne-Liège U23 and led the KOM classification at the Tour de l’Avenir for seven days, started his fixed gear racing journey supported by the Academy at the month of August, but the young Dutchman hit the ground running from the start and was never off the podium. “Racing fixed gear criteriums have been so eye-opening, it is a completely different discipline way more action-packed, with high adrenaline but really fun. Looking back and being able to say that I was on the podium in the three races I did, it is something really positive and I reckon that I can take home some important learning lessons that will enhance my development as a bike rider”.
With just some weeks left of our road season, the 20-year old is already thinking about the coming season and the possibilities that may arise in the fixed gear scheme that will allow him to keep on improving his bike skills at the same time that he has fun. “My main goals and objectives will always lie on the road and that it is something that I am working really hard to achieve with all the staff at the Academy, but I have to say that I felt a little bit in love with this discipline. Defenitely hope to ride more fixed gear races next year, it has been a hell of a journey and I am really thankful to everyone involved to give the chance of doing it. We will discuss it with the team, and I am sure that we will work on something cool for next season”.
Schelling, who had a strong 2018 on the road as he took fourth in Liège-Bastogne-Liège U23 and led the KOM classification at the Tour de l’Avenir for seven days, started his fixed gear racing journey supported by the Academy at the month of August, but the young Dutchman hit the ground running from the start and was never off the podium. “Racing fixed gear criteriums have been so eye-opening, it is a completely different discipline way more action-packed, with high adrenaline but really fun. Looking back and being able to say that I was on the podium in the three races I did, it is something really positive and I reckon that I can take home some important learning lessons that will enhance my development as a bike rider”.
With just some weeks left of our road season, the 20-year old is already thinking about the coming season and the possibilities that may arise in the fixed gear scheme that will allow him to keep on improving his bike skills at the same time that he has fun. “My main goals and objectives will always lie on the road and that it is something that I am working really hard to achieve with all the staff at the Academy, but I have to say that I felt a little bit in love with this discipline. Defenitely hope to ride more fixed gear races next year, it has been a hell of a journey and I am really thankful to everyone involved to give the chance of doing it. We will discuss it with the team, and I am sure that we will work on something cool for next season”.