After we gave you an insight into our performance in the Tour of Portugal a few days ago, we would now like to add the second part.
7st stage
The 7th stage from Belmonte to Torre featured 172,5 kilometers with two category 1 climbs and one category 2 climb. With well over 4000 meters of elevation gain, the demanding profile was clearly worthy of a queen stage. After the rest day, all the riders from Team Stuttgart hoped they had come through it well without stalling their engines .
First it was more than 50 wavy kilometers. After a group had formed, the pace was slowed down a bit and you could take another deep breath before you went into the first HC mountain. The mountain was driven very fast, which made the field very small and formed a large gruetto. Niko Holler was able to assert himself quite far ahead. Shortly before the final 28-kilometer climb, he attacked from his group because he knew that he could still improve in the overall classification of the U25 riders. He succeeded and moved up from seventh to fifth place.
8st stage
The 194th stage between Sabugal and Castelo Branco covered 8 kilometers. After the start of the race things got hot again. Since no group could break away, the pace remained very high in the first hour of the race. When some drivers managed to make the jump, Caja Rural took control of the field. The last few kilometers were characterized by wind edges, which didn't make the hilly terrain any easier. Unfortunately, Alexander Krieger was struggling with health problems, otherwise another top 5 placement would have been possible.
9st stage
On the 28,9 kilometer time trial from Oleiros to Serta, Niko Holler was concerned with maintaining his 5th place in the U25 classification. The altitude profile promised a time trial that was mainly downhill, but the race shouldn't be underestimated. Nikodemus Holler was able to defend his 5th place. Bad luck for Georg Loef, who fell in the last corner but was able to finish the stage.
10st stage
The 10th edition of the Volta Portugal came to an end with the 76th stage from Burinbosa to Lisbon. 167,1 bumpy kilometers had to be completed, in which the start was very leisurely and the overall winner Gustavo Veloso celebrated his victory with his teammates.
After about half an hour, a leading group formed, which was caught up again by the Bankobic team. For their hard work they were rewarded by their sprinter with the day's victory. Alexander Krieger felt better again, so that despite a defect he was able to finish in a very strong 6th place.
Niko and Alexander in particular were able to meet expectations. The other drivers did well too, although of course there is still room for improvement - but that will be fine.