The Belgian is Soudal Quick-Step’s best placed rider in the general classification of the Czech Tour.
Friday scheduled the first of the three consecutive uphill finishes of this year’s race, which will shape the general classification. Starting from Mlada Boleslav and concluding in Jested, the second stage took in 155 kilometers and an elevation gain of 2200 meters, enough to make a selection at the end.
Before the final climb, a four-man breakaway featuring Gil Gelders stole the show by putting more than two minutes into the peloton and not giving up even when their chances of making it became slim. Soudal Quick-Step’s Belgian was the last man to be overhauled by the bunch with ten kilometers to go, on the first-category climb where everything was decided, and after the stage was rewarded with the most combative rider of the day prize.
Six kilometers from the line, a crash took down several riders, including Mikel Landa, but the Basque fought admirably and managed to limit the losses to just half a minute. When the main attacks came inside the closing kilometer, Mauri Vansevenant was there for our team and took a solid fifth place behind winner Andrew August (Netcompany Ineos), moving into the top five in the overall ranking.
It was a hard finish, but a good taste of what’s still waiting in the next stages.
“My form was good and we tried to fight for a podium. On the opening stage I was still getting used to the race and getting into rhythm, but today I felt better and did my best. The team rode a solid stage and we are confident in our chances of scoring some good results”, said Mauri at the finish.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images
©Czech Tour
