As a member of the very first breakaway of the Tour de France, Sven Erik Bystrøm let the colors of Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux shine in the front of the race for 170 kilometer. This effort was rewarded with the combativity reward, so the Norwegian rider was invited to the podium ceremony.
This second stage on Danish soil, the first road race, was ridden on 202 kilometer of roads exposed to the wind leading to a delicate passage on the Great Belt Bridge, a connection to the finish in Nyborg.
Sven Erik Bystrøm was part of a breakaway of initially four riders, which was composed immediately after the start in Roskilde. The Norwegian rider then continued as a duo with Magnus Cort during the hill zone.
The Norwegian rider crossed the line of the intermediate sprint first and left Cort behind with 60 kilometer to go. He battled alone against the peloton until the final 35 kilometer, making his breakaway last for 170 kilometer. This effort was rewarded by the Prix de la Combativité, as a result he will wear the red number at the start of the third stage.
A nervous peloton headed then to the Great Belt, before sprinting for the victory in Nyborg. Alexander Kristoff crossed the line in eleventh place. No riders from Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux were involved in the crashes which shook up the final and the provisional classification remained the same.
« It’s fantastic to step on the podium of the Tour de France for the first time! With the team we wanted to try to join the breakaway and to conquer the polkadot jersey. I attacked from the start and was joined by three other riders for a long day in the lead of the race, with a strong headwind. With Magnus Cort I had a strong contender for the polkadot jersey, because he can both climb and sprint well. So I felt like the best strategy was to battle in a long sprint. I managed to drop the French duo, but Cort managed to outsprint me in the first two KOM sprints. Afterwards, I focused on the intermediate sprint and the combativity award, these were also nice rewards for this overall good day for me and the team. Magnus Cort and I received an amazing support from all Danish and Norwegian fans along the roads. It felt like taking a trip down the memory lane as I participated in the Youth Tour in the region of Roskilde fifteen years ago. It made me think of my dad, who left us during the spring. It was emotional to be back here, it was nice. »
