Cyclingheroes: Before you signed with Gerolsteiner you raced for the Rabobank Continental team. Why did you sign with Gerolsteiner last year?

Tom Stamsnijder: I am 22 years old now but Hans-Michael Holczer already wanted to sign me when I was 19 years old. We spoke about it at Rabo Continental and with my parents and we thought it was better to stay with Rabo Continental. But Holczer really wanted to have me and last year I decided to sign with Gerolsteiner. The team manager has a lot of confidence in me and that's important. I immediatly felt home at Gerolsteiner. We already have a strong faction for the Ardennes and I am one of the riders who has to grow so we also have a trumpf for the cobblestone classics. Also to make them more popular in Germany.

Cyclingheroes: Is it an advantage or is it problematic to be the son of... [Hennie Stamsnijder, former cross world champion]

Tom Stamsnijder: I don't think about it a lot, it doesn't really matter. My father had great palmares as a cross rider but not on the road. I am a pure road rider, so as a rider we are very different.

Cyclingheroes: Do you know something about your programm?

Tom Stamsnijder: I will focus on the cobblestone classics, Flanders and Roubaix. After that I will ride Amstel Gold and Fleche Wallonne. I skip Liège-Bastogne-Liège and want to reach the finish at Amstel and Fleche. last year I had to abandon the Ardennes classics. After these races I will take a break for three weeks and than I do some races to prepare for the Tour. I don't know yet if I will be in the Tour team, if not I will probebly race the Vuelta.

Cyclingheroes: How does it feel to start your career in a time where cycling is in a big crisis?

Tom Stamsnijder: It is difficult. You have to justify yourself again and again. Sometimes its really frustrating... there is a general distrust against all riders. You can't do anything about it. I can only ride clean, that's my contribution. Although sometimes the ADAMS system is difficult because you always have to know in advance where you are, its good. I think we are going in the right direction. You know, I have put everything on my cycling career...

Cyclingheroes: What is your ultimate goal as rider, not only this season but in your career?

Tom Stamsnijder: I want to win the cobblestone classis... Flanders or Paris-Roubaix. Or both. I already won the junior edition of the Tour of Flanders and came in fourth at the U23 editions of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. Winning one of these races as a pro... That's my dream and I think its possible..