The 2019 team presentation for Katusha-Alpecin took place at the Canyon headquarters in Koblenz, marking the 11th season for the WorldTour squad.
Joining the team management in 2019 is Erik Zabel, as performance manager, as well as Dirk Demol, who comes in as a new team director.
“Erik Zabel has joined us for 2019. We have created a new department within the team, the performance department and Erik will be the manager of this department. He will be responsible for all performance of riders, as well as materials and will work along with our sponsors to be sure we have the best. He was one of the best riders of his generation, so he also has experience and advice to share with our sprinters”, said general manager José Azevedo.
Ilnur Zakarin: “This year I will prepare mainly for the Giro, along with some earlier races, such as Abu Dhabi and I will also do multiple stage races. I plan, also, to do two training camps at altitude.”
Marcel Kittel: “When things go wrong, it forces you to look at how you do things and where you focus your energy. I am at a point where I am focusing 100% on my training and my races – I realize I need to focus on the basics. I started training early now for next season, I am feeling fresh and motivated to win again.”
Katusha-Alpecin for 2019: Enrico Battaglin (ITA), Jenthe Biermans (BEL), Ian Boswell (USA), Steff Cras (BEL), Jens Debusschere (BEL), Alex Dowsett (GB), Matteo Fabbro (ITA), José Gonçalves (POR), Ruben Guerreiro (POR), Nathan Haas (AUS), Marco Haller (AUT), Reto Hollenstein (SUI), Marcel Kittel (GER), Pavel Kochetkov (RUS), Viacheslav Kuznetsov (RUS), Daniel Navarro (SPA), Nils Politt (GER), Simon Špilak (SLO), Dmitry Strakhov (RUS), Mads Würtz Schmidt (DEN), Willie Smit (SA), Harry Tanfield (GB), Rick Zabel (GER), Ilnur Zakarin (RUS).
