Team Katusha’s Russian rider Aleksandr Porsev took the second podium place at the first stage of the World Ports Classic, a two-day race in Netherlands and Belgium. In the final bunch sprint Porsev finished just behind Andre Greipel from Lotto-Belisol. Third place went to Theo Bos from Belkin.

“Today we were motivated to get a high result. I felt pretty good, and the team provided me with ideal support during the whole stage. A strong, united and motivated team means a lot for the final success. Today Katusha was such a team. The guys protected me, kept me in front at every dangerous point, and then helped me to get a good position for the massive sprint. What a pity I did not manage to win, but anyway, the podium place is a nice result. Tomorrow we will have one more stage where I will do everything possible to fight for the victory,” said Aleksandr Porsev.

The first stage of the World Ports Classic connected Rotterdam and Antwerp with a distance of 195 km. The race became pretty hard because of the strong wind, but finally, everything was decided in the bunch sprint. Aleksandr Porsev took a good position and attacked. He passed all rivals except Andre Greipel, who became the stage winner.

“Our main plan was to help Aleksandr Porsev to fight in the massive sprint, and the team fully followed that strategy. Everything went well, all guys did a perfect job, and finally, we’ve got a strong result,”  added sports director of Team Katusha, Gennady Mikhaylov.

Tomorrow will be held the second and the last stage of the World Ports Classic – the peloton will return from Antwerp to Rotterdam but along a shorter way – the stage will be just 159 km.