With the season over, it's time to take stock, and analyzing the UCI rankings reveals a real surprise. We're always talking about the WorldTour teams, but which continental team is the highest in the rankings? The summit goes to theATT Investments, capable of finishing in 32nd place, just behind our Professionals VF Group Bardiani e Solution Tech-Vini Fantini and mocking the Italian-Japanese of the Team Ukyo despite their many victories.
A reference for Eastern Europe
A success that has raised a lot of curiosity around the reference team of Czech cycling, but looking at its roster one discovers first of all that the training is a bit of a magnet for many high-profile cyclists from all over Eastern Europe, those who for one reason or another have failed to find a place among the professionals or have dropped out. An example? Barnabas Peak, the Hungarian who found his activity again at the end of the season thanks to them and next year will strengthen the MBH Bank in its arrival among the Professionals.
What's the story behind ATT Investments? Its sports director tells the story. Otakar Fiala: "Our team was founded about ten years ago to support young talents in the Czech Republic. and, over time, also of neighboring countries. We are interested in being able to give space to young talents to allow them to gain experience and approach the major categories in the best possible way. We want to launch their careers, which is why we have them compete all over Europe, to compete with those who could be their teammates in the future."
Did you expect to become the best continental team of the season? Was that your goal?
Our main goal was to win the Europe Tour. The fact that we managed to finish the season as the first ever Continental team is a great recognition of our work going forward. We entered this category in 2020, it was an important step that confirms how we have always worked with long-term objectives since the beginning.For us, this record is confirmation that we are moving in the right direction.
Your roster is made up exclusively of Eastern European riders: was this a deliberate decision?
Yes, it's part of our team's DNA. Our riders come mainly from the Czech Republic and neighboring countries., where over the years we have built a solid network of contacts and a deep knowledge of the local context. It's important for us, as explained, to be a springboard towards the big teams, possibly in the WorldTour. Let's say that we can be a valid alternative to I have to team up, even more so now with the prestige deriving from our results.
How important is your work for the development of Czech cycling and what is your relationship with the national federation?
We are an important bridge between the junior and elite categories. A focal point of our activity is give young cyclists the opportunity to continue to grow while remaining in their home environment while stepping out of their comfort zone through high-level international activity. We collaborate with the Czech Cycling Federation mainly through projects for national teams.
What were the highlights of your season?
It was an exciting season, in which we brought home something like 26 victories in the UCI calendar, not only in Eastern Europe as we have had two successes of Marcin Budzinsky in Greece and two of Marceli Boguslawski al Tour du Loir et Cher. Overall, the highlight was the success in the Europe Tour and the conquest of the Czech National Championship in the time trial with Jan Bittner, were two objectives that we had set ourselves at the beginning of the season.
Do you have a junior or development team you're connected to?
Not yet. However, we don't rule out creating one in the future: such a step, however, would require changes and significant investments. We're working for the long term, such a choice would naturally depend on a potential move of our team to the Professional category.
Which of your riders have the potential to reach higher levels?
We have several riders with the right parameters to reach the next level, and I'm being conservative by not mentioning the WT, but it's always important to consider that each athlete's development is individual. I don't want to single out anyone in particular. In general, if a rider works systematically, success will come sooner or later, and someone will notice, this has always been our belief..
Are you planning to move up a category with your sponsors?
The possibility of moving up to the ProTeam category remains open for the future, but certain conditions must be met, mainly financial stability and a sufficient level of sporting quality among our ridersIn the meantime, we are getting ready, we have a staff with 4 sports directors at my side, including Yuraj Sagan, who has a great deal of direct experience in the WorldTour, both personally and through his brother.
What goals have you set for yourselves for 2026?
At this point we cannot back out: confirming oneself is always more difficult than the first time, so We want to defend our title as the best Continental team and win the Czech national championship again, maybe in the road race.But seeing one of our athletes land on a big team would also be a great victory.
