Kusztor calm after repeated climbs take their toll in Rwanda

Peter Kusztor (HUN):

“It was very tough today. We started straight onto a first category climb and there were three more before the end, but I’m actually happy that I could finish with the main group because this is my first race of the season and even though I suffered a lot today, I feel like I managed everything well and gauged my efforts correctly.”

“The attacks came from the get-go. Absolutely full gas from the beginning and if you ask my legs, they will tell you that it never really stopped. One group losing contact and then chasing back on, another group over the next climb and then chasing again. All day like this, it was relentless. But we came through, all of us and that’s good. Let’s recover now and be ready to go again tomorrow.”

Sport director Gennady Mikhaylov (RUS):

“There’s not much I can say about today. The profile speaks for itself. Four first category climbs and the first one coming straight out of neutral…just to warm the legs up! No, seriously, it was very challenging today, and a lot of guys were in a battle from the early kilometers so I’m pleased that we all managed to come through unscathed today and especially Peter who put in a strong ride.

“Peter showed his experience today, he knew what was coming and positioned himself well in a good group to give himself every chance to finish in the bunch at the end and he made it. Pretty good for his first race of 2022.”