Team CULT Energy had a busy day in the Tour of Denmark today as the team was very active at the front of the peloton in order to control and subsequently reel back a series of attacks on stage 2 in order to protect Magnus Cort’s yellow jersey.

Matti Breschel (Saxo-Tinkoff) defeated several more renowned sprinters, including Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma-Quick Step), to take the stage. 20-year-old Cort rolled across the finishing line safe inside the peloton to successfully defend his overall lead.

Cort also retained his KOM lead and remained leader of the best young rider competition.

“Our strategy today was to keep any breakaway attempt on a short leash so that other teams would feel tempted to help us in making sure that the stage ended in a bunch sprint,” Sports Director Michael Skelde explained. “The stage was marked by crosswinds which made it difficult for the breakaway riders, so we never got into serious problems. Once we were on the circuit, all we had to do was wait for the sprinters’ teams to assist us, which they did.”

Magnus Cort was under no illusions about the challenges awaiting him on Friday’s stage which includes a ride up the hill on Kiddesvej, which has a 22 per cent gradient at some points.

“Tomorrow will be truly challenging,” Cort acknowledged. “It’s going to be a very tough day and I might well lose the yellow jersey. The legs will have to decide my plan of action once we hit Vejle and Kiddesvej, but the odds are stacked against me. The short yet very steep ascent on Kiddesvej does not suit a rider with my characteristics,” Cort said realistically.

Going into Friday’s third stage, Cort leads Nikola Aistrup (Concordia Forsikring) by just one second.