The solid teamwork of Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux on a hilly profile was rewarded by a victory of sprinter Alexander Kristoff in the second stage of the Deutschland Tour this Friday.
The full team was represented in the selective final of the first stage and repeated this on an even harder course to control, with four categorized climbs in the final race hour.
On the first of four difficulties, Amöneburg, a group of 25 riders with Barnabás Peák and Georg Zimmermann managed to escape. The presence of these two riders forced the other teams to lead the chase, with the rest of the team focusing on supporting Alexander Kristoff, one of the only sprinters surviving in the peloton.
The breakaway attempts continued when the leading group was caught, but not one group managed to avoid a group sprint in Marburg. Alexander Kristoff was launched by Barnabás Peák with 300 meter to go and could not be overtaken by any competitor in the sprint. His teammate Georg Zimmermann finished tenth.
The Norwegian rider took his fifth success of the season or the 22nd of Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux. He also climbed to second place in the provisional classification and conquered the green jersey as leader in the points classification.
« The final of this stage was particularly difficult, with numerous climbs and crosswinds in the final 50 kilometer. While my teammates followed the dangerous breakaway attempts, I dug deep to follow the peloton on every climb. Sven Erik Bystrøm was always by my side, helping me to return when I was in difficulty. After the last climb I thought that the intense rhythm of the punchers was fatal for me. But my teammates kept believing in my chances. With 1000 meter to go I managed to return in the peloton and position in the slipstream of Barnabás Peák, who did a fantastic lead out. Finishing off the teamwork a couple of minutes after thinking that you don't stand a chance anymore makes me so happy. Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux is performing well since the start of the season and I'm very motivated to continue this success until the very end. »
