No crashes for Team NetApp in the 4th stage of the Course de Solidarnosc
After two stages of crashes, followed by two trips to the hospital and only four riders able to race, Team NetApp made it through today in one piece. The fourth racing day featured a course of 158 km from Tomaszow Maz to Kielce. Adrian Honkisz (CCC Polsat) was victorious in the group sprint, pushing Matej Mugerli (Adria Mobil) and Luc Hagenars (Ned) to the next places. NetApp’s Bartosz Huzarski crossed the finish line with the first group, securing for himself rank 9th. Andre Schulze is still the bearer of the jersey for the points classification.
There has been an alteration to the lead in the general classification. Marko Kump (Adria Mobil), who has ranked second until now, nabs the lead from Andre Schulze. Andrea Palini (IDE) and Matej Mugerli (Adria Mobil) follow in places two and three. Best NetApp rider is Bartosz Huzarski in rank 34.
“Fortunately nobody crashed today. As expected it was a difficult finish. Moreover it was really hot, with a temperature of 36 degrees and everybody was a bit shaken up by the previous two days’ crashes,“ reports Enrico Poitschke after today’s stage.
The selective profile prevented the group of the day from escaping before about 130 km into the race. However the four riders were not decisive for the general classification, so the peloton granted them an advantage until shortly before the finish.
“We knew there would be barely a chance to defend the yellow jersey. With our small team we couldn’t work to pull the riders back. It was good that another team also took on the responsibility. So we were able to bring the group back 20km before the finish line. During the battle for the mountain classification the bunch broke down into lots of groups. Bartosz Huzarski was able to place himself in the first group and compete in the sprint,“ Poitschke continues.
Tomorrow’s Queen’s stage is a stretch of 183 km. Riders will tackle 6 mountain classifications and 3 sprint classifications. The final, relatively steep climb, six km before the finish, has to be crossed twice.
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
