In a repeat of her performance in 2013, Kirsten Wild has won the first stage of Energiewacht Tour for Team Giant-Shimano women’s team.
Kirsten finished off a dominant display from the team where in the early stages all six riders were in the front group after splitting the race in crosswinds.
Julia Soek unfortunately crashed out of the break leaving five of the women up front but they still managed to control the race and set Kirsten up at the finish for her seventh win of the season so far.
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“Today was a good day and the whole team were strong, worked well together and in the end we got the result we deserved,” said Kirsten, laden with jerseys after podium duties. “The race split up several times but we were always up the front communicating, and in control.
“There were four finishing circuits and it was full gas for the first three but then on the last one it calmed down and I was confident for the sprint.
“Claudia Häusler lead it out and then Amy Pieters rode to the final corner. After that I had just under 300m to go to the line which was perfect.
“It wasn’t easy but I felt good and the team were strong which is a good sign for the rest of this race.”
Team Giant-Shimano coach, Dirk Reuling said: “Planning and teamwork was the key to the win today and then of course a great finish from Kirsten.
“We looked at the early part of the course online before and saw that it was open and exposed so the plan was to ride at the front and try and split it up a bit in the wind.
“This worked perfectly and all six of the team were in the front group. Julia unfortunately crashed out of the break and lost some time but the rest did a good job in keeping the race together and setting it up for Kirsten.
“Now we have the jersey will we have to defend it but I expect tomorrow to be quite similar to today, but with less wind so a little easier to control.”
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