Jonas Aaen Jørgensen With Big Ambitions In 2012
Saxo Bank | November 21, 2011
Saxo Bank-SunGard Dane, Jonas Aaen Jørgensen has had a great late season where the ambitious Dane on several occasions has been at the very front in the finals. Best result was his impressive win in GP Isbergues where he beat former teammate, Stuart O'Grady (Leopard Trek) in the sprinter showdown:
”I had a good Vuelta and I finished the race a stronger rider so I knew there was a good chance of showing that I'm ready to compete for the win. Our line-up was powerful so I decided to go full gas from the gun. I wanted to die with my boots on, so to speak and if I didn't succeed we had JJ (Haedo) in the pack to do the bunch sprint. I did the race when I was an amateur and knew the course was tough it was likely that a break would last all the way. Halfway through the race, we managed to split up the peloton in the cross wind and I then realized I had a unique chance of winning. I knew that Stuart (O'Grady) was in great shape after the Vuelta so watching him slipping away from the pack was my key to make the move and go. Doing 40 kilometers with him at high pace was horrifying but I enjoyed every single inch knowing I was racing for the win. It was a huge relief crossing the finish line and it was worth every drop of sweat when I was standing on top of the podium,” says Jonas.
Besides from the victory in the French one-day race, the 25 year-old Dane dominated the Australian stage race, Jayco Herald Sun Tour from the first stage of the race where he took second place and a solid effort on the mountain stage provided him with overall third place. Now, Jonas is enjoying some time at home in Denmark:
“It's cool to be home in Denmark visiting friends and family as the time to do that during the season is short. It's been a long year with loads of races and I feel that I really deserve a break from racing before taking on the preparations for the 2012 season. However, I've found myself wondering what to do differently compared to previous years. Late November, we're getting together for our first teambuilding session and that'll be a good time to discuss next year's calendar with the sports directors. After the teambuilding, I'll be heading south to warmer weather conditions as getting through the winter schedule in Denmark is pretty challenging.”
There are a lot of highlights on next year's calendar including the Olympic Games, a Danish Giro-start and naturally the annual World Cup and Jonas hopes to become a member of the Danish national team line-up:
”I'm already looking forward beginning the preparations for 2012. First of all, I'm excited about meeting with the new Team Saxo Bank. There are several reasons to be excited about the coming year but I really hope to be in the spring classic lineup where we will be trying to follow up on this season's success. If I can peak my shape at the right time, I think I'll get a chance of my own during the semi classics and be an important support in Milano-San Remo, Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. In addition, the Giro will be launched in Denmark and as a Dane, I would be proud of representing the team on home ground and I know that I have to take my abilities to another level if I should be in the Danish national line-up”, concludes Saxo Bank-SunGard's Jonas Aaen Jørgensen.