Another fast finish in Poland sees Peron sprinting into the top 20

Race: TDP Stage 2

Date: 6th August 2020

Start/Finish: Opole – Zabrze

Distance: 151.5 kilometers

Andrea Peron (ITA)

It was quite a strange stage really, because the break went really early and after the crash at the finish on stage one, the atmosphere in the bunch was strange and it all led into another really fast finish.

I felt pretty good considering that this is only my second race in the last ten months, but I am definitely missing some of the top end that comes with the rhythm of racing. We knew the final would be fast, but it was also very hectic and the last lap felt like warp speed.

Overall, I am pleased with how it went today, but last year I was sprinting in the top ten and this time I was further back and when you’re racing against the best guys in the world you always want to show what you can do.

Massimo Podenzana, DS

Going into the stage we had looked at today as another opportunity to get in the breakaway, but the move went very early with only two guys and due to our positioning, we missed the chance.

It settled down very quickly and after the move went up the road the big teams were all set on letting things play out for what we expected would be a very fast sprint finish, and that’s exactly how things unfolded.

There were three short closing circuits around Zabrze and as soon as we hit them the pace ramped up dramatically, the leading pair were swallowed up and everyone started to jostle for position for the sprint. Andrea did really well, he hasn’t had much racing in his legs this year – even before lockdown, and he held his own to place 16th.

Tomorrow could be more interesting for us, it will be a tough stage, we know the terrain from last year and as always we will ride together as a team and try to take the opportunity.

Next Up:

Tomorrow the world’s first all-diabetes professional cycling team will continue to show what’s possible with diabetes on Stage 3 at the Tour of Poland with a 203.1-kilometer race that starts in Wadowice and finishes in Bielsko-Biala.

Photo Credit: Tour de Pologne