Tim Torn Teutenberg hits the podium in Surf Coast Classic

After a strong start Down Under, TTT claimed 3rd place in the sprint after three hours of furious racing around the Great Ocean Road

How it happened

With no live TV coverage, and minimal updates on the race, we thought who better to explain how the race unfolded than TTT himself:

“From the start, on the long climb we were already full gas, a lot of jumping. I think a lot of teams today wanted a fast and hard race, so it took quite a long time – one and a half hours I think – until the big group went. For a moment everybody settled down and then they went. From there on I was chasing the whole day. I think most of the sprinters were in the second part of the group and trying to get back, especially Bora, Cofidis and Astana were chasing a lot. A couple of minutes after we caught the big group, echelons started and everything split up again. I was there with the first 10 guys and it was good, but Bora brought everything back together. In the last 5-10km there was still a lot of attacking so I still wasn’t sure if it would come down to a sprint. There were a lot of teams who didn’t want a sprint today.

“There was still attacking in the final, it was pretty hectic, and in the final it was Bora again who set the leadout up and did a pretty good job. I had to go pretty early, I think with 300 [meters] to go because once Sam [Welsford, 2nd place] starts to sprint I think there’s no chance. I tried to be ahead of him, it was a bit too early and I did a leadout for Tobias [Lund Andresen, 1st place], but yeah I think it was quite good.”

Tim Torn Teutenberg meets the press after the 2nd Surf Coast Classic 2025, Men's Elite a 157km one day race from Lorne to Torquay on January 30, 2025 in Torquay, Australia. (Photo by Dario Belingheri/Getty Images)

Tim was determined to secure his first podium, despite only being one month into his career as a professional cyclist. After two fourth-place finishes in the Tour Down Under sprints, the German sprinter was all the more hungry to claim a coveted top-three finish, and knew it was within reach. “I hoped for a podium already last week, so I’m really happy to finally have it. It’s a really good start as a pro rider. It’s nice to stand on the podium and not be fourth,” he said with a smile.

Tim’s budding pro career is off to an extremely promising start. Not only does he have the ability and the smarts, but most importantly, he’s enjoying himself at the same time.

I like real racing, full gas where you have to be clever and be in the right moves and have fun. I like to play.

(Photo by Dario Belingheri/Getty Images)

(Photo by Dario Belingheri/Getty Images)