Wet roads, uphill kickers and late crashes on second stage in Hungary

Sports Director Gennady Mikhaylov:

“There was a crash very early on the bottom of the first climb and we got caught out behind it. Subsequently we missed the break. Seven guys went clear after the crash and that was it until the last ten kilometers.”

“We knew the final was going to be quite technical with successive roundabouts and it was made more technical with the wet roads. There was another crash as the break was caught and we tried to bring Andrea back up, but we were a little too far back. Considering the difficulties in the final, to place 21^st is pretty good and it was very good to see the guys working together to help Andrea over the last 20 kilometers.”

Andrea Peron:

“I actually finished a little better today than yesterday even if the stage was harder, but to be honest I’m feeling like I’m missing a bit of top end after having a little break after the Tour of Turkey and it would be great if we can go better again tomorrow.”

“We were all together as a team for most of the stage and that’s a great feeling, having your teammates around you, supporting you to try and get the best result possible.”

Charles Planet:

“Me and David tried to get in the break today, but we missed the key attack, and that was the attack that formed the breakaway, Afterwards, I have to say we worked well together for Andrea, but we know we need to try and stay up there with him for as long as possible and unfortunately today we struggled to be there until the last kilometer.

“We split in the final five kilometers when the speed really ramped up and that is exactly the point where we need to fight to be together. We know that and that’s what we are aiming for tomorrow.”