Today, taking part in the criterium race People’s Choice Classic, the Russian Team Katusha officially  opened its 7th cycling season.

The People’s Choice Classi is a 51 km circuit race in the city center of Adelaide, South Australia. Traditionally, this race serves as a prologue for the first WorldTour race Santos Tour Down Under which will be held on January 20th to 25th.

As it was predicted, the People’s Choice Classic was raced on the very high pace and has finished with a bunch sprint, won by Marcel Kittel from Giant-Alpecin. The daily podium was completed by Juan Jose Lobato from Movistar (2nd place) and Wouter Wippert from Drapac (3rd place).

Team Katusha’s sprinter Rüdiger Selig who did a very active race, finished in 7th position.

"The race was unbelievable nervous and stressful. But, my legs were ok, I felt in a good shape today. Unfortunately I did not pass the last corner well and I lost some positions before the finish. In the final I tried to sprint for a higher position but was a little bit boxed in. So, it was impossible to take a podium place, which was really possible today. But anyway, 7th position is not so bad in the first race of the season. Now, I am motivated for the Tour Down Under," explained Rüdiger Selig.

"I think we can be satisfied with today’s result. Our main purpose for today was to spend a good race and to get the racing feeling. Of course, we wanted to show something in the final too. Guys had some freedom today, but normally such a flat and speed final mostly suited Rüdiger. So, I am happy he could get a worthy result. He missed something to reach the podium, but it was only a prologue. The main race starts the day after tomorrow and we hope to get more there. Today our team looked well, so we are looking forward for the Tour Down Under," added sports director Gennady Mikhaylov.