Being the only wildcard team in the race, NetApp-Endura went into the Vattenfall Cyclassics with the plan to animate their home race. Having originally hoped to be in contention for a top 10 result with Sam Bennett, the German team had to change its strategy at the last moment after the Irishman withdrew due to a cold.

Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) lived up to his favorite role and was able to win the 19th Vattenfall Cyclassics in Hamburg. The 27-year old Norwegian prevailed after 247 km in the mass sprint against Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek Factory Racing) and Simon Gerrans (Orica Green Edge). NetApp Endura’s Ralf Matzka was part of a leading trio for about 200 km and was only caught up with just 30 km before the finish. Moreover, the 25-year old was able to turn the sprint classification of the only German World Tour race into a birthday present. Scott Thwaites took 20th place as the best rider of the NetApp Endura team.

“Since this is our home race in the WorldTour we wanted to race as active as possible, being the only wildcard team here. Therefore, it was our absolute goal to be in the group of the day. Ralf, who was called to the race not before yesterday afternoon because of Sam’s cold, meet this target very well. Above, he took something out of his attack by also winning the sprint classification. In the final we planned to take part in the race decision as well. That’s why we went with the groups that formed on the last climb. We had three guys up there till the finish but we knew that it will be more than tough to claim a Top10 result without a top sprinter like Sam”, concludes Andre Schulze, Sport Director of Team NetApp – Endura.