Pierre Rolland put himself in the perfect position to take a surprise overall win in the Volta a Catalunya when he was part of the breakaway trio that distanced the race favourites by 2.40 in the opening stage.
"I had a great desire to do well," he wrote on Facebook after the stage. "In fact, I really had the heart to be at the front because the course lent itself to attacks as rainy weather was forecasted and as the finale was quite technical with a lot of turns.
"After 60km, I was part of a trio after 11 riders had been caught. 3 riders is not much but I had strong riders with me and the finale was to our advantage with the good lead that we had. I could not do anything against the CCC rider [Maciej Paterski] who was simply the fastest.
"I am now second on GC. I am well aware that it is very good, but I also know that the riders in this race are the best in the world. We'll have to take it step by step."
20.04: EPZ Omloop van Borsele |
17.04 - 21.04: Tour de Tunisie |
18.04 - 21.04: Eroica Juniores |
19.04 - 21.04: EPZ Omloop van Borsele |
20.04 - 21.04: Gipuzkoa Klasika |
21.04: Liège-Bastogne-Liège |
21.04: Giro della Romagna |
21.04: Gent-Wevelgem U23 |
21.04: Gent-Wevelgem Junior |
21.04: Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes |
Chanhyeok IM 23 years | today |
Ben BOETS 29 years | today |
Kevin VAN IMPE 43 years | today |
Daan LUIJKX 58 years | today |
Michal GALKA 23 years | today |
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