Dutchman Dylan Groenewegen (BikeExchange) is the winner of the second stage of the Tour of Slovenia from Ptuj to Rogaška Slatina, which ended with a sprint of a larger group of cyclists.
Groenewegenwho won in Rogaška Slatina in 2018, with the help of a teammate Luke Mezgeca defeated the Belgian Lionel Taminiauxa and German Pascal Ackermann.
He was the best Slovenian Matevž Govekar in ninth place. At the time of the winner, he also came in 17th Tadej Pogačar.
There are no changes in the total. He stayed in the green jersey of the leader Rafal Motherthe other is Domen Novak (+0: 06) and the third Pogačar (0:08).
Groenewegen: Mezgec responded well
“In the end, the stage was really challenging. When it is Bahrain began to dictate the rhythm, it was not easy. But we had control over what was happening, I had a lot of teammates with me. In the end we made a good plan, but then I lost Luka in the last turn, which was not good. But then he responded really smartly and made me some room. The cyclists came from left and right, but I found some space myself and finished the job, “ he said Groenewegen.
“It was quite chaotic, even though we were in a small group. The finish was not ideal for us, we imagined we would do better in the last round, but we lost the sprinter and Dylan was a few places behind me. We had to reduce the speed, so the others were able to get ahead.I was also a bit blocked myself, so I failed Dylan prepare the best starting point. But he found himself, he found a way out of the crowd and the goal was achieved, “ Mezgec described the sprint for TV Slovenia.
Unsuccessful escape of six
Most of the stage was in the forefront of the six they were in Vid Jeromel (Kranj), Aljaž Janc (Adria Mobil), Spaniard Carlos Canal White (Euskatel) in Marti Marquez Roman (Kern Pharma), Pole Adam Stachowiak (Mazovia Heart) and Slovak Paul Rovder (Dukla Banska Bystrica).
The group escaped soon after the start, gaining almost three minutes of advantage, but their attempt was doomed to failure. The majority caught them 48 kilometers before the end after more than a 100-kilometer escape.
Mohorič: 9th place is not the best result, but a good experience for the future
They then cheered the pace most of the time Matej Mohorič in Jan Tratnik, but it was clear that the winner of the stage would be decided by the finish sprint. The team BikeExchange – especially Mezgec – she prepared the ground for her best husband, who took advantage of the offer and did it with the competitors in the last meters.
Before the conclusion, the leaders got rid of one of the best sprinters in the world, the Belgian Tim Merlierwho is then with the team Alpecin Phoenix unsuccessfully chasing a group of about 40 cyclists in the forefront.
Mohorič, who broke the bulk into several parts about 50 km before the finish, was not satisfied with the results of his team Bahrain Victorious: “We saw that the teams that dictated the rhythm were already very decimated, so we tried to get rid of the best sprinters. We did not succeed, Matevž was only ninth in the end, which is not the best result, but it is a good experience for the future.. “
The third stage will end at Celje Castle
On Friday, there will be a stage with ascents to Lipa and Svetina and the finish ascent to Celje Castle. Last year, it was at this stage that Pogačar made a difference to his rivals with an independent attack and won for the first time in his career. Dirki around Slovenia.
“Today was a difficult one in the end. We tried to win with Pascal, he finished in third place, but he was still happy. Tomorrow is a new day and we will definitely try with Tadej Pogačar, maybe the shirt will change the owner,” he hinted Motherwho will work for his captain for the next two days.
Source: Rtvslo
