Zabel hails Ciolek’s tactics and form after impressive Milan-San Remo win.

Gerald Ciolek (MTN-Qhubeka) might a have caused a minor upset with his win in Milan-San Remo yesterday, but four-time winner and fellow German, Erik Zabel, was not surprised to see Ciolek snatch victory from the claws of pre-race favourite Peter Sagan (Cannondale).

“He was already very strong in Belgium at Het Nieuwsblad and the Three Days of West Flanders, but perhaps only insiders noticed that,” Zabel told Radsport-news.com. Ciolek finished 11th in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and went on to claim the second stage of the Three Days of West Flanders.

“Gerald delivered his masterpiece [in Milan-San Remo],” Zabel told Radsport-news.com. “He is very, very strong and rode by far the cleverest of all the favourites. And on the Poggio he made a top impression. Those are the ingredients you need to win a race.”

In the Belgian races Ciolek “once again had the light touch like he had several years ago,” according to Zabel. “Plus, he held on to Sagan, who tried to fill the role of favourite. And then he beat him in the closing sprint and so perfectly put into effect everything he had planned.”