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Christian Knees
Joining up with team as a late arrival at the beginning of the 2011 season, German Christian Knees had a stellar season in Team Sky colours, using his experience to help a number of squads to victory.
It was no coincidence the 30-year-old was involved in so much success, playing a key role in wins at Critérium du Dauphiné, Bayern-Rundfahrt and the Vattenfall Cyclassics. The powerful rouleur also did enough to secure a spot in the nine-man Tour de France line-up, taking in his sixth consecutive edition in the process.
Knees also spent the first half of the season resplendent in German national champion’s colours, an honour he seized while riding for Milram in 2010 and just reward for a career spent largely riding for others.
Despite notching relatively few wins in his pro career, Knees’ knowledge and nous are in no doubt and saw the rider rewarded with a new deal towards the climax of the 2011 season.
He explains: “Having joined the team so late I didn’t expect to ride the very biggest races but I got my head down, worked as hard as I could, and thankfully that paid off. To be named in the Tour de France team was a big surprise and an even bigger honour – especially given that there were so many talented riders in our squad,” he admitted.
“It was great to be part of so many other successful line-ups as well. At the Dauphine we rode a great race tactically and managed to carry that form all the way through to Vattenfall, so it was fun to be part of, for sure.
“I think the fact those line-ups stayed pretty much the same was a big factor in that success because it allowed us to build a good understanding and a good rapport which meant the results followed naturally.”
