WorldTour
Home victory: Ben Zwiehoff wins the opening stage of the Sauerland Tour
Ben Zwiehoff has won the opening time trial of the German stage race Sauerland Tour. For the 32-year-old rider from Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe, this is the first victory of his professional career.
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The Sauerland Tour began in Brilon with a 13.7-kilometre individual time trial, whose undulating profile favoured climbers rather than pure time trial specialists. It was precisely this terrain that played into Ben Zwiehoff’s hands: The German rider from Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe, who is competing in the Sauerland as a guest rider for the Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe Rookies development team, clocked the fastest time on the hilly course. The 32-year-old thus took the overall lead in the tour for the first time.
“I’d already realised from training over the last few weeks that things were going quite well – but I never would have thought it would result in my first professional victory.”
Just a few kilometres from his home in Menden, Zwiehoff’s time was recorded at 17:15.93 minutes – an average speed of 47.6 km/h. Local hero Miguel Heidemann (REMBE | rad-net) finished second, 7.3 seconds behind, whilst third place went to the Spaniard Eñaut Urkaregi (Lidl-Trek Future Racing, +9.37). With Paul Fietzke (Germany) in fourth place (+19.6), a second rider from the Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe Rookies team made it into the top five.
Paul Fietzke came fourth in the time trial.
© Werner Müller-Schell
“To be honest, I didn’t expect this. Time trials aren’t exactly my forte, but the course was obviously well-suited to a climber. I’d already realised from training over the last few weeks that things were going quite well – but I never thought it would lead to my first professional victory. What makes me particularly happy is having this experience in the Sauerland. When I need to push myself really hard in training, I usually come here. It’s simply brilliant for cycling. Having the jersey and seeing that my legs are in good shape is a huge advantage for the next few days,” said Ben Zwiehoff at the finish.
We went into this race as favourites and the plan was clear: all the lads would go flat out.
Sports Director Gregor Gazvoda was thoroughly satisfied: “We went into this race as favourites and the plan was clear: all the lads would go flat out. That’s exactly what they did: all six of our riders made it into the top 24 – that’s impressive. The fact that one of us has now won on home soil is, of course, something special. But there are still three tough stages to come – and we’re ready to fight.”
Tomorrow’s stage of the Sauerland Tour covers 122.9 kilometres from Brilon to Siedlinghausen. Ben Zwiehoff will line up at the start wearing the pink jersey of the overall leader.
Zwiehoff is delighted with his first victory as a professional cyclist
© Werner Müller-Schell
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