The Tour de Picardie, a short race over 3 days in Northern France, started with a stage that covered 162 kilometers on the way from Moy-de-l’Aisne to Tergnier. BORA – ARGON 18 animated most parts of the race.

Firstly, Daniel Schorn was part of a lead group of five riders. The break-away riders were able to keep a lead until the last finishing lap and they weren’t reeled in before 10 kilometers to go. Then,Phil Bauhaus wanted to make an impression in the finale as it was one for the sprinters. Another good lead-out brought Bauhaus in a promising position for the stage podium, when he was cut off in the last corner and he crashed. According to first checks nothing is broken, but he suffers from bruises.

"That was a nice performance of the team today upon which we can build on in the next days. The sprint train worked well as usually. With 300m to go, Christoph [Pfingsten] went first into the finish curve and Phil was at his rear wheel. Both guys who were the winners later went on the inside and forced Christoph away at the highest speed. Phil was pushed away simultaneuosly and crashed like everybody else. That, unfortunately, messed up the podium for us today, which of course has been our target. Phil has lots of abrasions but we expect him to be at the start tomorrow“, said Sport Director Christian Pömer.