Near Podium for Benhamouda on Stage 2 at International Rhodes Tour

Date: 7^th March 2020

Race: International Rhodes Tour, Stage 2

Start/Finish: Rhodes – Paradeisi, Greece

Distance: 145 kilometers

Mehdi Benhamouda (FRA)

The plan was to keep me as close to the front as possible because we knew it was probably the last chance for the sprinters to get a result. The team worked well throughout the day and helped me stay up front.

It was quite a hectic sprint, but I like that. Although I’m disappointed to have come so close to third place and getting on the podium, I am pleased with fourth. We worked hard as a team, followed the plan, and almost got the result we wanted.

The climbs came during the middle of the stage. It was important to be in the right place to save energy and not to lose contact if the peloton split.

When we came over the climbs, I was well protected by my teammates and we fought hard to maintain our position. Going uphill is never easy for a sprinter, but today was ok, especially considering that I had some bad luck and crashed on the opening stage. I’ve luckily recovered and was able to fight for the result today.

Next Up:

On Sunday, the world’s first all-diabetes professional cycling team will continue to show what’s possible with diabetes with the final stage at the International Rhodes Tour. Stage 3 covers 163.3 kilometers and starts and finishes by one of the original seven wonders of the world, the Colossus of Rhodes. It will be the decisive day for the general classification and includes close to 2,000 meters of climbing.

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