After several years in Continental teams, Stefan Schumacher joined the Polish Pro Continental CCC Sprandi team in 2015. The German had big expectations but his hopes were not fulfilled. On the contrary, things became worse.

"This year I partly lost the joy of cycling," the 34-year-old told radsport-news.com. This was due to the fact that Schumacher had to fight against a variety of illnesses and injuries in the first half of the season. At the start of the season in Mallorca, he already suffered from a painful urinary tract infection and had to cancel his start at the GP Marseillaise and the Etoile de Besseges because he had to take antibiotics for two weeks. "Unfortunately, this infection also had an impact on me later in the season and cost me a couple of races because I could never really recover from it," he added.

His next race came at the end of February at the Vuelta a Andalucía where he was involved in a massive crash in the first stage and he suffered a compound fracture of the carpal bone which required surgery.

Schumacher was already ready for a comeback four weeks later Volta a Catalunya but he did not have much fun. "This turned out to be a mistake," he said. "The hand that had undergone surgery, was numb and lame, and I only recovered slowly during the next few months."

Schumacher battled through the pain because "I was told throughout the entire spring that I was going to do the Giro so I was extremely motivated. That would be a big thing for me. That's why I focused less on the recovery from my infection and injury." Two weeks before the Giro start, the CCC team management told him that he was "100%" guaranteed to be part of the Giro line-up.

Although his form was getting better, Schumacher ultimately received no Giro ticket. "I learned from the press that I was not selection and to date I have had no explanation," said Schumacher who criticized the total lack of communication with his team.

The Grman did not give up and delivered a solid performance at the Tour de Suisse and then showed himself with a third place in the individual time trial at the German Championships in Bensheim. In the road race, he narrowly missed out on the top 10 after an aggressive ride.

His best result in a stage race came at the Czech Cycling Tour (2.1) where he was third on the final stage and finished in eighth place in the standings. "From the Tour de Suisse, the season went a lot better," concluded Schumacher.

Although team boss Piotr Wadecki had repeatedly offered him a contract extension, there will be no second season at CCC Sprandi for Schumacher. "At first I liked the idea, but in retrospect I'm glad that it never came to a signature," he said. "There were simply too many things in this team that are totally unacceptable in my eyes. I prefer to end my career than to ride under such conditions. Since early October, I have had no contact with the team management and I will do nothing to change that," he stressed.

Whether he will continue his career is not yet clear. Currently, Schumacher is still in contact with some teams. "But I have not signed anything yet. It may sound corny but if I will ride again, the most important thing would be to regain the joy," said Schumacher.