This evening the 75th edition of Tour of Luxembourg was launched with a 2.6 kilometer short prologue in Luxembourg City. In spite of the relatively short distance, the time differences at the finish line were rather big due to the steep and cobbled climb near the finish line slowing the pace.

Last year CULT Energy Pro Cycling’s local hero Alex Kirsch finished 3rd in the prologue on home ground and tonight he did yet another solid result, crossing the finish line in 7th position after spending 4 minutes and 6 seconds on the course.

Adrian Petit (Cofidis) was the fastest rider and the Frenchman will be wearing the leader's jersey tomorrow in the 212.6 kilometer long first stage from Luxembourg to Clemency where CULT Energy Pro Cycling DS Luke Roberts expects a bunch sprint decision:

"I think we had a good start and it was important to have at least one rider up there in the GC but our other riders weren't that far off the pace and we'll have different cards to play later on in the race. Tomorrow I expect a bunch sprint and we will try our best to put Russell [Downing] in a good position for the sprint," says Roberts.

CULT Energy Pro Cycling's Alex Kirsch was very happy with his result:

"I knew that it was going to be very difficult to follow up on last year's result because in the 2014 version of the stage, I was fortunate enough to ride in good weather conditions compared to the rest of the peloton as it started to rain halfway through while in tonight's version, everyone was suffering on equal terms. But everything went according to plan. I managed the the fast descent well towards the foot of the climb where I just closed my eyes and gave everything. I hated every meter but it was worth it afterwards. Now, I'm in a good position overall but anything can still happen. Furthermore, it's not important that I get the top result. It's important that one of CULT Energy's riders get a good overall result."