Orlová, Czeh Republic, 3 May 2015 - Velocio-SRAM have finished the Gracia Orlová Tour in emphatic style with Elise Delzenne winning the final stage today in Orlová. Alena Amialiusik won the General Classification by 15 seconds, ahead of team mate Trixi Worrack, with Eugenia Bujak (BTC City Ljubljana) 32 seconds behind in third place. Amialiusik capped off an incredible tour for the Velocio-SRAM team who won four stages and finished in the first five places in the Individual Time Trial Stage.
The fifth and final stage was a six lap circuit race around the town of Orlová today. The 100.2 kilometre stage was a tough undulating circuit that constantly saw the peloton string out and slowly come back together. Early attacks were marked by the youngest member of the team, Mieke Kroeger, who continued her hard work all week for the team. A late break with Karol-Ann Canuel was brought back with seven kilometres to go, and Delzenne made a late solo attack with four kilometres remaining. She was joined by Vieceli (Michela- Fanini) and the duo stayed away until the finish. Delzenne outsprinted the young Italian to take the final stage victory for Velocio-SRAM.
Delzenne said, "The team has had an incredible week, and as well I'm very happy with my own performances. We had the goal to keep the top two places on GC and if a stage win came out of that, then it was a bonus."
Amialiusik completed the final stage without issues to secure the overall classification. "My team mates were so strong all week, I am so happy to have the win for them. Trixi did work on all of the climbs for me, she was always there, she was great. The Gracia Orlová Tour is special to me because I remember when I was a little bit younger I did this race and for me then, it was a big race, really! And now I have won it, it's amazing, and almost too much to take in at once," said a delighted Amialiusik. The Belarusian also took home the points, climbers and activity classifications.
The Velocio-SRAM team demonstrated their strength across the four days as they held the yellow jersey for the entire tour and moved Trixi Worrack from fourth into second position overall. They had stage wins with Alena Amialiusik (Stage 1), Lisa Brennauer (Stage 3), Karol-Ann Canuel (Stage 4) and Elise Delzenne (Stage 5).
Team Director Sportif Beth Duryea praised the work of the team. "It was a strong ride from Alena all week, but it was not an individual effort. The whole team has created an atmosphere amongst the rider group since the beginning of the year and have slowly been building momentum with each race we do. The results in the last three weeks for the team demonstrate this momentum and there is not a lot more that needs to be said."
The team will next race the Amgen Tour of California powered by SRAM on May 8-10 in USA.
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| Delzenne took victory in the final stage. ©BellXOne |
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| Trixi Worrack finished in top four every stage. ©BellXOne |
