LANDA 2ND ON THE DAY OF HIS DEBUT
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It was a grueling 174km opening stage of the Ruta del Sol 2020, consisting of five classified climbs, including a category one climb in the last 20 km of the stage.
Despite a breakaway of 11 riders, they were all caught by the group in the last 10km. It then came down to our Mikel Landa making his debut for the team and reigning champion Jakob Fuglsang (Team Astana), breaking away from the bunch on the last climb. It was Fugslang who pipped Landa to victory; however, it was an impressive show of form from Landa for a first race of the season. “I’m very happy about my first-day race – said the Landa – I think we have done a very good job, and on the last climb I attacked to try to win the stage but, finally, I found a strong contender as Jakob. Almost 20 days after my accident during training, I am regaining confidence and good feelings. I am also satisfied because on the first day you never know 2020 how it can go and, on the other hand, I understood that I am already competitive with other riders who have already competed this year. “
Overall it was an exciting day for our team, with three finishers in the top five as both Dylan Teuns and Pello Bilbao finished 3rd and 5th respectively. Despite a mechanical problem with 10km to go, Teuns powered to third on the day “We were tactically good and proved to be a really strong team. Personally, I’m fine, and I still have good legs like in Volta Valenciana. I will keep working for a good result both in one stage overall.”
“I’d like to underline the performance of the whole team – explains Sports Director Gorazd Štangelj – finishing with three riders in the first five. Other demanding stages await us and we will try to bring home the yellow jersey. “ |
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