Wet second stage in Poland has Kopecky learning from the front

Heavy rain fell on the peloton on stage two of the Tour de Pologne as another opportunity for the sprinters unfolded over 205km with Team Novo Nordisk all in for Italian Andrea Peron until an untimely puncture in the last few kilometers did for that plan and left neo pro Matyas Kopecky to fight on as first home for TNN.

Andrea Peron:

“Ah, it’s frustrating because I felt good today and despite the flat tire I managed to stay in the group until the last three km and then the last drop of air went pffff. Nothing we can do, punctures are part of cycling and happen to everyone, but the timing was terrible.”

Matyas Kopecky:

“I’ve got to say these last two stages have been an experience. Even though I feel like I’ve done harder races what has hit me the most is the speed in the finals. It’s over 1,000 watts straight out of the corners and that has been an eye-opener. But this experience is going to be valuable going forward and being with my teammates racing at a WorldTour event is very special.”

Head Sports director Massimo Podenzana:

“Tough day today. It was long and wet, and we almost got Umberto in the breakaway very early, but his move got caught quickly and the next one went immediately after and that caught us out. Andrea had some bad luck on the finishing lap with a puncture and we had to go late with Matyas.”

“He’s doing well in his first WorldTour race, but these are some of the best sprinters in the world and Matyas is here to gain experience of racing at this level and not with the pressure of trying to get a result.”