Strong runner-up for Soudal Quick-Step in Slovakia

Gil Gelders leads the best young rider classification after stage one.

Okolo Slovenska, a race which our team has won five times in the last six years, got underway Wednesday evening with a 28.8km team time trial around Dunajska Streda. Our squad – consisting of Julian Alaphilippe, Gil Gelders, Paul Magnier, Andrea Raccagni, Pepijn Reinderink, Martin Svrcek and Warre Vangheluwe – got off to a solid start and set the fastest time going through the intermediate checkpoint despite being among the early teams to roll down the ramp.

The Wolfpack continued to push a big tempo, and thanks to a 53.77km/h average speed went into the provisional hot seat at the finish, with a time of 32:08. The Soudal Quick-Step boys remained there until the penultimate team to conclude the stage, Jayco-AlUla, who moved to the top and sealed the victory.

Following this top-three finish, neo-pro Gil Gelders took to the podium to receive the white jersey of Okolo Slovenska, which he will wear on the hilly stage two to Hlahovec, where a punchy finish awaits.