Team NetApp’s routinier André Schulze once more sprinted to victory in the third stage of the „Course Cycliste de Solidarnosc et des Champions Olympiques“. He pushed Andrea Palini (Team Idea) and Marko Kump (Adria Mobil) to second and third places in the finish at the Polish town Kutno. Schulze remains the leader of both the general and the points classification.

After two breakaway riders achieved an advantage of 2.50 minutes, Team NetApp undertook the work to catch the breakaway riders. 20 km before the finish even  Marcin Sapa who was last year’s champion, was brought back.

“Today’s win was much harder than yesterday’s. There was a slight incline and shortly before the finish was yet another cobblestone passage. Through the heat and our pointless crash I didn’t feel that great. But the guys did a great job. Bartosz brought me into position in the finish and I only had to complete the work. It was close, but enough,“ André Schulze is pleased.

 “The victory is a great success for the whole team. Defending the overall lead will be difficult for us tomorrow though. The profile is more hilly, our riders are worn out from their injuries and we might start with only four riders,“ says Enrico Poitschke, Sport Director of Team NetApp. 

60 kilometers before the finish all the Team NetApp riders crashed, because they were not able to avoid another rider’s fall. As a consequence of the crash, all team bikes had to be exchanged. After the finish, Timon Seubert was taken to hospital with a shoulder injury. It is not certain whether he will be able to continue in tomorrow’s race.

Grischa Janorschke broke his collar bone after a crash in yesterday’s stage and has now had to give up the race.

 

 

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

Website of the race