Ide Schelling seems to have found his place in Astana Qazaqstan: "I am very satisfied and happy that I made the switch"

Coming to Astana Qazaqstan this winter to strenghten the team's core for hilly races, Ide Schelling is one of the most promising signings by Alexander Vinokourov for 2024.

The 26-year-old Dutchman was already very close to delivering the first victory in stage 4 of Tour of Oman, when he was only few centimeters short of Amaury Capiot. Naturally, he already eyes next opportunity, maybe in Spain.

"My transition went very well," Schelling confirms to WielerFlits. "I am very positively surprised by how pleasant it is within the team. I had a wonderful winter. We have done three training camps, and I know everyone in the team pretty well now. I am very satisfied and happy that I made the switch."

Schelling scored his first WT victory last year with BORA - hansgrohe, so why did he choose to leave the team? "There are a number of reasons why I made the move. The main thing is that I have more say in things with this team. In terms of my competition programme, but also during the races themselves. I can almost always take my own chances in competitions that suit me. This was often the case at BORA - hansgrohe, but with the transfers coming, there was a real fight for your place there. I really enjoy racing, that's the main reason."

"It's more about being able to race. If you are good, results also come with it. On the other hand, nothing is necessary. That's not so bad. I don't have very big goals. I do it all because I enjoy it. It started out that way, and it still remains that way."