Cycling highlights: The last important one-day race for the time being took place in May and at the same time the first Grand Tour. No wonder we can look back on some cycling highlights. One German in particular created a good mood.
1) In May, Pascal Ackermann outshines everything
Good sprinters coming from Germany have been the norm for many years. After the Zabel era, André Greipel and Marcel Kittel were able to close the gap. Now another top sprinter has entered the world-class stage. Then Pascal Ackermann (Bora – hansgrohe) finally matured into an absolute top driver in May. He won the one-day race on the very first day of the month Eschborn-Frankfurt. Then we went straight to the Giro d'Italia. Although this was his first three-week tour, the reigning German champions secured two stage wins (Stage #2 & Stage #5) and directly the overall victory in the points classification. While Elia Viviani and Caleb Ewan slipped away after half and started their journey home, Pascal Ackermann fought his way through the mountain landscape despite injuries from a fall. Chapeau, Pascal!
2) Stefan Küng reminds of Fabian Cancellara
Home wins are the best wins. Got this too Stefan Kung (Groupama – FDJ) felt in the month of May. The Swiss won the Tour de Romandie second stage in the most beautiful of all forms: as a soloist! Together with five other professionals, Stefan Küng was able to break away early and form the group of the day. In the pouring rain, the peloton kept control - at first! Because although the gap was always small and the pace in the peloton kept increasing, Stefan Küng kept his distance. He held his own against everyone and arrived at the finish in Morges with a lead of almost a minute. This level of racing toughness reminded the Confederate fans of a Fabian Cancellara.
3) Rick Zabel jumps in - and sprints to victory
Unexpectedly comes often. But rarely does the result look as radiant as it did on May 3rd. At the Tour de Yorkshire, the second stage discharged. Even before the tour, the Katusha – Alpecin team was one of the favorites to win a stage. However, when sprint star Marcel Kittel had to cancel his start, the sprint captain suddenly dropped out. Despite a rather weak line-up, the Swiss racing team could no longer assume a good chance of winning - but then came Rick Zabel. Originally employed as a driver by Marcel Kittel, Erik Zabel's son now stepped in as captain. On the 132,0-kilometer stage from Barnsley to Bedale, he clearly won ahead of Boy Van Poppel and Chris Lawless. After almost four years, he was finally able to celebrate his own victory again.
4) Cima infuriates Denz and Ackermann
In cycling there is nothing nicer for the fans than a tight finish to a race. Viewers want drama, fight and passion. They got all this on the 18th stage of the Giro d'Italia, although the profile wasn't exactly demanding. The three escapees made the race a real highlight. Nico Denz (AG2R La Mondiale), Mirco Maestri (Bardiani – CSF) and Damian Cima (Nippo – Vini Fantini – Faizanè) kept the weakened peloton on their toes. The three fugitives were in front up to the finish line – but then Pascal Ackermann started his sprint. While Nico Denz and Mirco Maestri suddenly seemed to stand still, their companion Damiano Cima was able to assert himself against the sprinters. The Italian managed to cross the finish line just a few centimeters ahead of the German champion.