ATT Investments 2022 season review

    Since establishment of ATT Investments team, their goal is development of talented youth cyclists. It was proclaimed, that squad is being built according to ,,1+1 model'', meaning there is always one experienced rider teaming up with each young rookie. Riders from 18 to 26 years of age were represented in team during season.

    Let's step aside from official targets for now. Main goal of each sports team should naturally be to generate good results. ATT achieved that, having their best season ever in terms of UCI points, aswell as  celebrating some UCI wins again. Performance of whole team was usually converted into success by three key men: Mika Heming (22 years old), Matúš Štoček (23) and Tomáš Bárta (23). 

    Heming made move, which might have seemed odd to some before this season. After promising results during his contract with Majola Pusbikers, he decided to move eastwards and race with Czech continental team. One could argue that this is kinda  ,,Out of sight out of mind'' move, given Czech Republic is definitely smaller on cycling map then Germany. However ATT investments race calendar improves by each year and Heming was allowed to gain experience in plenty of acknowledged stage races with quality competition. He has proven ability to overcome middle mountain stages safely and deliver results in sprints. Two victories were added up to his palmares, stages on International Tour of Rhodes and Carpathian couriers race. Personally I value some of his results even higher, namely his consistent performance at Turul Romaniei (2.1), which resulted into 5th position in general classification aswell as youth classification victory. In Germany he first showed himself with 15th place at Elite National championships, and well earned nomination to national team for Sparkassen Münsterland Giro (1.Pro) later. He helped out Max Kanter to top 10 result, finishing in first group himself. According to rumours on German websites and twitter, he will join Tudor team in their Pro Continental debut next season. In conclusion, one season long stay with ATT ended up great for both him and team.

    Tomáš Bárta continued in squad for second year, already having position as one of designated leaders. Once again, he opened season with podium at Umag trophy, improving from 3rd to 2nd place. Run of top 10 results extended over whole year, with special highlight being Gemenc Grand Prix (2.2), where Bárta managed to secure 2nd place in GC and valuable stage victory, first in UCI race during his stay at ATT. On national scene, he managed to win criterium in Hradec Králové, which is hometown of Elkov-Kasper team. That could be bit of payback for national championships of Czechia and Slovakia, where Elkov completely outplayed their rivals and ATT received some criticism for that race.

    Only minor success for the team on championships was achieved by last rider from my focus list. Matúš Štoček arrived 14th overally, which was enough for salvation bronze medal in Slovakian part of the race. It was part of his june to july one month long 3rd place frenzy, including Memorial van Coningsloo (1.2) podium and finishing on same place at Solidarnosc Championships (2.2) in stage 3 and general classification.

    Other riders also stepped up in UCI races, namely Karel Tyrpekl and Karel Camrda, both often carrying team chances on hilly or mountainous terrain. Jan Kašpar enjoyed some breaktrough in this season, with 3rd place on V4 Bike race  series GP Czech Republic (1.2) and valuable 4th place in opening stage of Sazka tour (2.1).

    Coming back to start of the article, i've noticed some criticism on ATTs adress, concerning that they don't really develop lot of talents. This impression is most likely coming because of comparison with recent history, when Czech based team generated plenty of World Tour riders. As you propably know, that team was Klein Constantia and it worked as development team for Quickstep. ATT can hardly match their level of riders, given it is focused on local riders. They are racing good mix of harder UCI races with some easier events on national level in Czechia, Slovakia and Austria. After 2020 season, Vojtěch Řepa ,,graduated'' to Equipo Kern Pharma and took part in Vuelta this autumn. Now Heming is leaving to pro conti and Bárta or Štoček are adepts to follow this direction. And the fact, that ATT manages to deliver results with riders in their early 20s is the best proof that team does the development right.

Season ranking: 9/10