Tinkoff-Saxo regained momentum on stage 2 of Tour de Romandie after yesterday’s disappointing result in the team time trial. According to the team sports director, team captain Rafal Majka tackled the four categorized climbs with relative ease and finished 14th in the decimated bunch sprint.
After the stage finish, Tinkoff-Saxo DS Bruno Cenghialta notes that the squad put the team strategy into effect on the 166km stage.
“After yesterday’s negative race, the guys raced very well today and executed the plan we had. To be honest, we thought the climbs would have been tougher in order to be able to achieve more. However, in the final climb a leading group was formed with the best 20 riders and Rafal Majka was easily there in the front”, says Bruno Cenghialta.
Team leader Rafal Majka confirms that he is optimistic after the stage.
“I felt good during the whole stage, also on the last climb through the Col La Vue des Alpes, where I was pedaling in the front of the group and won the mountain sprint. The finish was difficult, but I had some energy and finished in 14th position from a 50-person group. I am optimistic before the following stages”, says Majka.
After cresting the top of the final category two climb, the select bunch speeded down towards the finish line in Saint-Imier, where Orica-GreenEdge’s Michael Albasini showed that he was the fastest on the day. Tinkoff-Saxo’s Rafal Majka was 14th and got through the stage without difficulties – a sign that pleases Cenghialta ahead of the coming stages.
“We will now have to see what happens on Thursday and Friday but I’m convinced it will be Saturday’s climbs, and in particular the last one, that will decide the GC. Rafal is in good form and the rest of the squad is in good shape as well and if we are attentive in the next two days we can tackle Saturday successfully and achieve a good final result”, comments Bruno Cenghialta and adds:
“I’m satisfied with what we achieved today and I think our performance yesterday was an exception. The guys raced according to their abilities today and I feel confident ahead of the remaining days”.
Tinkoff-Saxo’s Jesper Hansen was involved in an unfortunate incident during stage 2. The Dane was hit on his left shoulder by an opening car door, as medical staff exited a race vehicle, to attend to a group of riders following a crash in which Hansen was also involved. He was able to continue and finish the stage. He was examined by the team doctor and the initial assessment is positive as no serious injuries were found. His condition will be evaluated again tomorrow morning.
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