Andre Schulze on the podium at the first stage of Course de Solidarnosz
The first half of Stage 1 at the polish Tour „Course Cycliste de Solidarnosc et des Champions Olympiques“ was decided by a mass sprint after a total of 76 kilometers. Team NetApp’s German sprinter André Schulze was able to secure himself the third rank, behind Jeff Vermeulen (Metec Continental) und Ralf Matzka (Thüringer Energie). This was Schulze’s fifth podium ranking of the season.
“Unfortunately, André suffered a defect 12 kilometers before the finish. Because of this he lost a lot of strength getting back to the front. But the team led him really well to the finish line and then simply relied on his talent. Without the defect he would have certainly achieved even more,“ says Enrico Poitschke, Sport Director of Team NetApp.
In the second half of this stage, which takes place this afternoon, the riders will do a further 140 kilometers from Tuszyn to Sieradz. The flat route should now allow the sprinters to push forward again.
Stage 1, 4. July: Lodz – Belchatow
Stage 2: 4. July: Tuszyn – Sieradz
Stage 3: 5. July Leczyca - Kutno
Stage 4: 6. July: Tomaszow Maz. – Kielce
Stage 5: 7. July: Nowy Sacz – Krosno
Stage 6: 8. July: Jaslo – Jaroslaw
Line-Up: Bartosz Huzarski, Andre Schulze, Grischa Janorschke,
Michael Schwarzmann, Markus Eichler, Timon Seubert
