Team Time Trial Win in Czech Cycling Tour and 4th overall for British team
Endura Racing opened the Czech Cycling Tour (UCI Europe Tour 2.2) in Unicov in eastern Czech Republic with an impressive win the 24km team time trial. Despite this being Endura Racing’s second TTT of the season, they were able to win with a four second margin from PSK Whirpool to put former Oceania time trial champion Jack Anderson into the leader’s yellow jersey.
The team rode strongly to defend the lead on the second stage – Olomouc to Prostejov (148km) – to bring Jack home in 10th spot and maintain a three second advantage into the penultimate stage, despite Alexandre Blain and Iker Camaño crashing when well placed in the final sprint. On the third stage – Å ternberk to Å umperk (198km) – Endura Racing again rode strongly, driving the race on for the first 100km, but with little help from elsewhere in the peloton a relentless series eventually saw a big break move clear and although the lead was lost, Paul Voß was able to remain in the front group to maintain his 4th position on GC.
The fourth and final day saw Alexandre Blain come home 2nd at the head of the bunch thanks to the team putting in a power of effort to bring back all but one rider of an early break.
Ian Wilkinson of Endura Racing leads the team at the head of the race in defence of the yellow jersey.
Alexandre Blain: “We passed the first three days really well – riding as a winning team, defending the GC and trying to finish the stages with a victory also. Paul was in good shape getting the 4th place on GC. It was also great to see Jack Anderson in yellow jersey for 2 days and finally nice for Endura Racing to finish well placed on an UCI race GC.”
“Personally, I just continue my way on towards a good season, maintaining my form to catch some other great results or helping my teammates in mountains stages.”
Jack Anderson in yellow for Endura Racing
Paul Voß: “I’m pleased with my place in the GC, I feel that the shape comes. Maybe we lost the GC because I made a wrong decision. But that can happen and we learn from that. But I’m really happy that we could win the Team Time Trail. It was nice to see, that I have such a strong and professional team at my side. The team did a great job. So that was four good days for us with one win, one second place for Alexandre and two days in yellow for Jack.”
Alex Sans Vega (Sports Director): “We came to Czech (Cycling) Tour with the thoughts of winning a stage and having a rider in the top 10. From the start, (Paul) Voß was our leader as he felt strong for fighting for the GC. We had a good start with a strong performance on the TTT.”
“The day after, the team controlled the race very well and we even went for the stage win with Alex Blain but he crashed together with Camaño at 60m when he was sitting on 2nd position before last push. Day three – again fantastic team work, we controlled the race until the last 45km. Whirpool kept attacking and with no other teams were interested helping us. Jack Anderson couldn’t follow the front group so we end up the stage supporting Paul 100%. Even losing the jersey we were happy of our work and how professional we ride.”
“On last day, we save our energies for final sprint with Alex Blain and Ian Wilkinson. At 10km to go, the all team ride for Alex Blain in the front. At the final he was second from a few meters of last ride which was in the break of the day.”
“Very happy about the team performance and how the all team assume the responsability of been one of favorite teams in the race.”
Next European races:
17th July – UEC European Road Championships U23s (Scott Thwaites) –
27th July – Tour Alsace
Next British Race – Colne Grand Prix (Wednesday)
