The Lotto Kern-Haus team reports on Velomotion from the international Tour of Rhodes (UCI EuropeTour 2.2). With a small diary by Robert W. Kessler you will get exclusive insights into the racing events on site. On the last stage, the team lost the overall ranking after a courageous fight.
You win together and you lose together. Unfortunately, despite a great team effort, we lost today. Of course there was a lot of tension before the start, but we were highly motivated. The first goal was to let a breakaway group drive as quickly as possible, the second to drive towards the first sprint ranking for bonus seconds. After I managed to start the sprint halfway, I was under pressure on the first waves, but the others had everything under control. Then Dorian and Jonas followed with the support of our Austrian friends and kept the breakaway group 2 minutes ahead. At kilometer 65km the mountain began that should cost us the lead. As announced, Bardiani put pressure on from the start and attacked with full force. Unfortunately, Dorian, Jonas and I had to give up and finish the race in the scattered groups. Up front, however, the rioting continued. Luca, Nowakopolus, Knaupofillou and Joshi were initially able to go along and secure the attacks, but then had to give in to the constantly changing, very steep and flat sections at the back. Gathered around Joshi, the four went downhill in less than a minute behind the 20-strong lead. Unfortunately, this consisted mostly of Bardiani and Uno X riders, who didn't let anything burn in the last 45km flat, so that the boys couldn't close the hole anymore. The disappointment was of course huge at first, we and especially Joshi gave everything. Looking at it from the other side, you have to say that it's not a shame and we've put on a great performance here. With three podium finishes and two jerseys worn, we can look back with satisfaction on a successful time in Rhodes and let us look forward to the upcoming races with optimism.
Kessler out