Since turning professional in 2014 with BMC, Rick Zabel has strived to forge his own way in the sport without trading on his father's success. Slowly but surely, Zabel has been making his way in the sport and since moving to the Katusha-Alpecin team at the end of last year has carved out a role a key leadout man and rider for the Classics.
With the acquisition of Alpecin as a major sponsor from 2017, the Katusha squad has been building a strong German contingent that continues next year with the arrival of Marcel Kittel. For 23-year-old Zabel, the German influence at Katusha-Alpecin makes his job easier in the leadouts with all the riders speaking the same language.
For the first time in his career, Zabel rode the Canadian one-day WorldTour races, the GP de Montréal and GP de Québec, where Cyclingnews caught up the young German for his take on the season and how to beat Kittel in a hair competition.
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Cyclingnews: How was the overall experience in Canada?
RZ: It was my first time here, and I really liked it. Especially the Quebec race, I finished in the first group, totally broken in the last kilometre but at least I was there, with the best guys and I think in the future I can come back and do a good result. Montreal is a little bit too hard for me I think, but looking forward to the world championships it's good preparation. Even if it's too hard, it is still very good training.
CN: What are your thoughts on Grand Tours and stage races versus the one-day race program (Hamburg, Plouay, Canada) to start to close out the season?
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