Geschke Geschke (Giant-Shimano) won a race early in his career when he claimed a stage victory in the 2011 Criterium International but since then he has had a hard time taking his second success. Today he finally broke the drought when he won the GP Gippingen in a reduced sprint.

Simon Geschke has raced to his first win since taking a stage of Critérium International in 2011 at the one-day GP du canton d’Argovie in Switzerland.

Geschke was part of a select group of around 25 riders on the last of 12 laps around Gippengen, together with Team Giant-Shimano teammate Georg Preidler. Preidler played a big role in controlling the pace on the run in and then Geschke put his finishing speed to good use to take Team Giant-Shimano’s 24th win of the 2014 season.

The 51st edition of this one-day race was based on 15 laps of a 12 kilometre circuit. At the end of the first lap three riders had pulled away and spend the majority of the race out front. The rolling nature of the circuit gradually took its toll on the peloton and with two laps to go, under the impetus of attacks from the peloton, the bunch exploded.

Preidler was in a breakaway of nine riders coming into the last lap with Geschke in the chase group behind, not having to ride with a teammate ahead. As the groups came together on the final climb, Preidler attacked and moved ahead alone. He was chased hard by the group and eventually caught but it was more time for Geschke to sit back and position himself without having to work, and as soon as Preidler was caught he was back on controlling duties in a similar situation to at the Giro d’Italia where both riders were in the front group at the end on stage 11.

There was little control in the group and Preidler had to work hard to keep things together but he did a great job of it and coming into the finish the group was set for a sprint and Geschke, putting the good form he has built at the Giro to good use, came through for a resounding victory. Geschke said before the race that he was feeling confident and had been riding with good sensations this past week, but was unsure how his race form would be since the Giro. He today proved that he has come out in very good shape and can keep moving forward.

Team Giant-Shimano coach, Addy Engels said: “The guys were really impressive out there today and worked really well together especially at the end with Preidler and Geschke in the front group.

“Geschke has had his best season to date so far and it is great that he can confirm his progress with a win here. It’s good for his confidence and will only make him stronger.

“He has been with the team since he turned professional and every year he has kept on improving. Under the guidance of the team he has focused on the biggest races and learned from these, taking a big step forward this season to be able to challenge the best riders in races like Amstel and the Giro. For me his sixth place at Amstel was a big tip that he had taken another step forward this year in improvement.

“I am really happy for him and the team here today. Ten different riders winning since the start of the season is a real achievement and testament to the strength in depth that the team has, and again it shows that sticking to a well-devised plan pays off.”

“It is a big relief to win today as I have gone close many times but I haven’t had a win since 2011,” said Geschke after the podium ceremony.

“It was a tough race with a hard parcours and also a good field but the team was great today and Preidler did an awesome job  to control at the end.

“My legs were not great at the start of the day but they came round as the race went on and it looks like I have recovered well from the Giro. I was feeling good during the week but it is not the same as racing.

“I have to thank the team for believing in me and my ability to score results. The riders and staff have kept supporting me and give me freedom in races like this to learn and develop, and also to go for the win. It’s nice to pay everyone back with a victory.”