Written by Amstel Flanders at 04:14 23/10-2024
Wilhelm Lindberg (Tønsberg,  ) joined 8 seasons ago (S64, 24 years old) from Hog Bay CT in the most expensive transfer done by our team (700k$). With Sam Azargoshasp (St. Petersbourg, ) aging fast, the plan of Manager Williamson was to appoint the Norwegian sprinter as the Captain Ahab of the team to replace Iranman. 8 seasons later, the picture is completely different…
Despite a hopeful debut, his first win and results with the team, Lindberg didn’t give that crucial step to take over once and for all. The Iranian sprinter kept a good level, allowing him to score and win when conditions were ideal. Some well suited profiles ended with disappointing results for Wilhelm and other races, he had great legs but there was/were someone else who’d snatch the win from him.
Then, a recommendation made by Lindberg to hire a former teammate in the homebased Vatican team resulted in the transfer of Emil Sønderby (Aalborg, ). As he struggled on the races he was pointed as leader, Sønderby began to climb the ladder of success after an irregular time to adapt, and today Emil (known as “Medgaard” by his teammates) is now the Captain Ahab. The spot Wilhelm had reserved but the road denied him to claim.
Besides his win in the WT three seasons ago, Lindberg haven’t won since S64 (his debut season in the team) and has been clearly beaten by the guy he suggested the team to hire and a veteran in his last races, Hermann Normann, so, the doubt haunts the staff. What happened to the cyclist who was fated to be the visible face of our triumphs?
First, the team wasn’t fully aware and ready to support a rider of his skills. His gifted speed and elegant technique couldn’t hide the weakness within Wilhelm, who needed a strong support on long flat roads and windy days. In the time of his arrival, our team only had Tran as a pure Wind-Breaker and he alone didn’t suffice the demanding calendar, obliged to support two different captains.
Second, luck. As we said before, Lindberg could manage to survive hard races just to lose it in the finish line, also his low ability to maintain a high speed in the flat road, difficulted the launch of his sprints, so when he reached top speed, he couldn’t close the gap. Lastly, a stronger less skilled rider with the legs of his life, resulting in too many 2nds and 3rds.
Third, Sønderby. When the Danish cyclist rose from his ashes to become a known star, the staff was concerned he needed very technical riders to compensate his erratic yet powerful output on the bike, so race directors included Wilhelm in more supportive roles, always the final Lead-Out to launch Emil to victory, with the natural consequence of less chances to lead. At first Lindberg thought it was a matter of a few races, however; he had witnessed the slight change of his role in the team, until Manager Williamson officially made Medgaard Captain Ahab in the end of S69. That was a direct blow to Wilhelm’s waterline, last season being his worse since his arrival, 10 points and 8th place as best personal result.
Publicly, the team has shown his total support to an unmotivated cyclist, though behind closed doors they believe his days of leading are far behind. And of course, Wilhelm wants to feel important and lead, now he has another contender within the team, Mathias De Fauw (Hasselt, ) and the newest addition Josué Pinhal, a different kind of rider.
With both Captain Ahab and Pinhal resting (FRSP Captain), the beginning of S71 might be the final bullet in Lindberg's gun; to beat a much younger and balanced rider and prove wrong the detractors in the team… but above all, to prove himself he can find redemption.
Over n’ Out.
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