The Bayern Rundfahrt started very well for Wanty-Groupe Gobert. In the first stage from Regensburg to Waldsassen both Enrico Gasparotto and Marco Marcato in the top ten. Frederik Backaert came in 22nd which brought the team to the top of the team ranking.
Gasparotto, who after a short period of rest after Liège-Bastogne-Liège, returned to racing in Germany, sprinted to a ninth place. However he felt more would have been possible.
"It was undulating all day long but it ended in a sprint nonetheless. I was well-positioned at 400 metres from the line but had to hit the brakes a little. I am content with how I feel though."
At several kilometres from the team's bike sponsor CUBE's headquarters, Wanty-Groupe Gobert showed its fighting spirit on day two as well. Marco Minnaard was part of the day's six-men breakaway.
“My legs felt good today. I won both sprints for the mountain jersey relatively easy," the Dutchman said. "With six points I was level pegging with the Cololmbian (Rodolfo Torres) and knew that my position in the overall classification would be decisive in who would get the jersey."
Minnaard sprinted for bonus seconds along the way before he was one of the last breakaway riders to be caught at ten kilometres from the line.
"I was happy to take these four seconds. Now I would have to finish in the bunch and I succeeded in doing just that! I am now seventh in the overall and get to wear the mountain jersey on Friday."
Keeping the jersey won't be an easy thing with an additional 22 points up for grabs in Friday's and Sunday's stages.
In the day's results Enrico Gasparotto finished 8th, Frederik Backaert 13th and Marco Marcato 17th. Wanty-Groupe Gobert keeps the lead in the team classification with four riders in the top 22 of the overall classification.
Holger SIEVERS 56 years | today |
Chun Te CHIANG 40 years | today |
Denas MASIULIS 25 years | today |
Tom DERNIES 34 years | today |
André VITAL 42 years | today |
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