Going into the final stage of the Tour of Denmark, Tinkoff-Saxo had expected to win the race overall but things were turned upside down. While Michael Valgren was overjoyed to have taken his first professional victory, Manuele Boaro had a harder time coming to terms with the results.

Sunday, Michael Valgren won his first stage race in his first season as he finished on top of the podium in Tour of Denmark with Manuele Boaro finishing 3rd in the overall classification.

Today’s 176-kilometer long sixth and final stage of Tour of Denmark wasn’t your average parade to Copenhagen. Tinkoff-Saxo’s Manuele Boaro was leading the race prior to the stage but was under heavy fire this Sunday afternoon with many breakaways being established. In the end, Michael Valgren prevailed.

“I’m very happy and surprised to win the race overall today. I was in a good position, but our main goal was to ride for Manuele. When the attacks started we needed to follow to have a man in the front. In the end, the peloton didn’t catch us. We finish the race with two men on the podium, it’s amazing”, says Michael Valgren after receiving the praises from thousands of cheering Danes.

The win was Michael Valgren’s first overall stage win after having turned pro at the start of 2014.

“Tour of Denmark is a difficult race because of the unpredictability and versatile terrain. This win motivates me a lot and I really want to build on this result. I’m feeling strong and I think I can perform well in the second part of the season”, adds Michael Valgren.

Before the stage, Tinkoff-Saxo rider Manuele Boaro was leading the race with 10 seconds but finished 3rd overall after crossing the finish line together with the main bunch.

“I was of course aiming for the overall win but the main goal was to secure the victory for the team. It was a hectic finale and we took the right decision to send Valgren on the attack to ensure that we had a top GC-contender in the breakaway”, says Boaro after the stage and continues:

“It has been a really successful race for the team and I’m very proud of my win on the third stage. I’m feeling really well at the moment and I want to use my current shape during the next races here in August and September”, finishes Manuele Boaro.

Tinkoff-Saxo ended up taking the overall win, a spot on the podium, one stage win, the youth classification and the team competition.

“Of course, the outcome was  a surprise but we actually did discuss the scenario this morning and the boys knew what to do out there on the road," sports director Lars Michaelsen said. "We don’t use radio communication here so the riders have to think for themselves and luckily, Michael (Valgren) was showing sound judgement of the situation during the finale when Bak went on the attack and he had the legs to respond as well.

"I admit a few wrinkles made way to our foreheads when Valgren had a puncture close to the finish but he was absolutely determined and he deserves the win. The whole team has been riding well throughout the week and of course, we’re all happy about these results."