WorldTour
Marit rewards team performance at the Valencia opener with second place
The result is a second place for Arne Marit, but the first stage of the Volta Comunitat Valenciana delivered much more from Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe's point of view.
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Arne Marit missed his second victory for Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe in the second race by just a few centimetres. In the sprint finale of stage 1 of the Volta Valencia, where only about half of the peloton went together, it took a good camera angle to recognise that Biniam Girmay touched the finish line a little earlier and relegated Arne to second place.
I didn't realise that climbers can also ride a leadout.
The Belgian newcomer was nevertheless satisfied. "I can be happy with a first and a second place right at the start of the season. That's good for the motivation and spirit in the team. But above all I have to thank the team. I didn't know that climbers can also ride a leadout. Remco drove me perfectly into position at the end. And Emil also gave himself on the way to the last 500 metres before the finish. Of course I would have liked to have given the team another win. It was close. But a podium is also good, so we can keep the momentum."
Action on the only climb
But long before the finish straight, Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe provided plenty of racing action. At the only classified mountain of the 160-kilometre stage from Segorbe to Torreblanca, 34 kilometres before the finish, the team was one of the active players, especially with Ben Zwiehoff, and was partly responsible for the fact that the peloton completely fell apart on this category 3 climb.
Ben Zwiehoff, Remco and Giulio Pellizzari push the pace on the mountain.
© Getty Images
There were only 20 riders in the first group - four of them wore the Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe jersey. The team pushed the pace because Joao Almeida, one of their main rivals for the overall classification, was not in the group. Other teams, however, did not want to take advantage of the situation and held back. After Remco Evenepoel was able to secure a bonus second at the remaining intermediate sprint, Giovanni Aleotti and Aleksandr Vlasov also decided not to ride any more kilometres in the wind. Change of tactics.
Strong Pellizzari solo ends just before the finish
Giulio Pellizzari set off on a solo ride 18 kilometres before the finish. And although the top-flat terrain in the finale did not suit him at all, he made it to 1600 metres before the finish before being caught by the now larger peloton.
Giulio Pellizzari's courageous solo at the Valencia opener
© Getty Images
"I just gave it a go and I'm glad I did. I gave it my all. But it was clear that it would be difficult for me alone on the flat. But we worked really well together as a team. Remco scored a bonus second, that was the goal on the bus this morning. And Arne's second place is also good. I think we deserved even more after today's performance."
I think we deserved even more after today's performance.
Among the many pros who returned shortly after the start of the Pellizzari solo was Arne, who then ensured a well-rounded finish. Aleks also still had the strength to get involved in the sprint and finished this eventful day in sixth place.
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