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."
18.05: Veenendaal-Veenendaal |
14.05 - 19.05: 4 Jours de Dunkerque |
15.05 - 19.05: Orlen Nations GP |
15.05 - 19.05: Tour of Hellas |
16.05 - 19.05: Vuelta a Burgos Feminas |
16.05 - 19.05: Tour of Sakarya |
16.05 - 19.05: Vuelta a Santiago del Estero |
17.05 - 19.05: SPIE Juniorendriedaagse |
18.05 - 19.05: Trophée Centre Morbihan |
19.05: Antwerp Port Epic Ladies |
Michael SPRENGER 29 years | today |
Marie GIELEN 26 years | today |
Casper VAN DER WOUDE 24 years | today |
Lukas TALACKA 30 years | today |
Lasse SIGGAARD 45 years | today |
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