The Beginning: A Feeling for Talent
In November/December 2024, I came across Timotej—a rider who wasn’t yet known in national circles but had something special. From our first conversations, I had the feeling that he had real potential. He was also partnered with my good friend at Nutrishop.si, which gave us an early point of trust.
Despite a rough 2024 season filled with injuries, we connected through a few calls and meetings and decided to work together. I believed we could build something strong.
Er war außerdem Partner meines guten Freundes von Nutrishop.si, was sofort Vertrauen schuf.
Trotz einer schwierigen Saison 2024 mit mehreren Verletzungen fanden wir nach ein paar Online-Meetings und Telefonaten zueinander und beschlossen, gemeinsam zu arbeiten. Ich war überzeugt, dass wir gemeinsam etwas Starkes aufbauen können.
A Young Man with Drive
What stood out immediately was Timotej’s work ethic. He’s not only a student, but also works at a bike shop—juggling those responsibilities while still committing 100% to his training. That kind of discipline is rare, and it gave me confidence that we could make fast progress.
Diese Disziplin ist selten. Und sie gab mir von Anfang an das Gefühl, dass wir schnell Fortschritte machen würden.
Setbacks and Bad Luck
The start of the 2025 season wasn’t easy. A series of unfortunate events followed—flat tires, broken wheels, and even a crash caused by a car just before a key race. Despite all this, Timotej never gave up.
We trained hard, we adjusted when needed, and we went “full gas.” His power data told the real story: even with limited time together, his strength was growing fast. Usually, it takes at least a full season for a coach and athlete to really sync—but with Timotej, the connection came early.
Doch Timotej ließ sich nicht unterkriegen.
Wir trainierten weiter, passten unser Programm an und gaben – im wahrsten Sinne – „full gas“.
Seine Leistungsdaten sprachen eine klare Sprache: Trotz der kurzen gemeinsamen Zeit zeigte seine Form einen deutlichen Aufwärtstrend.
Normalerweise dauert es mindestens eine Saison, bis Coach und Athlet wirklich eingespielt sind – doch mit Timotej passte es von Anfang an.
Breakthrough at the National Championship
The first real sign that we were on the right track came at the Slovenian XCO National Championship. On Saturday, in the unofficial classification, Timotej placed third. We stayed calm and focused. Then came Sunday: he raced with heart and legs, and delivered a perfect ride—earning an official 3rd place and bringing home the bronze medal in his age group. This wasn’t just a medal. It was confirmation that we had built something strong in just a few months.
A Step Toward the Pros: Nordic Development Team
Only two weeks after Nationals, Timotej had a trial week with Nordic Pro Cycling in Italy. This was a critical opportunity—they test and select young riders for their development team. I had no doubt he’d make it. His power, mindset, and discipline are exactly what teams look for. And sure enough—he passed. He earned his spot.
This moment confirmed everything: since December, we’ve been on the right path. And now it’s just the beginning of a bigger journey.
Final Thoughts: The Road Ahead
I couldn’t be more proud of Timotej. In 9 months, from an unknown talent to a national medalist and now a development team rider. This shows what commitment, trust, and smart work can create.
We’re not finished—we’re just getting started.
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