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Binck Bank Tour. Stage 1. A solid race in break for Laurens De Vreese
Astana Proteam rider Laurens De Vreese spent a very nice day at stage 1 of the UCI WorldTour race Binck Bank Tour (previously known as Eneco Tour).
De Vreese became a part of the daily breakaway group of four riders, which went away shortly after the start in Breda. The break was able to stay in front of the race during almost the whole stage and was neutralized with only 3 km to the finish line in Venray.
- Honestly, I felt quite good today during the whole stage. Actually, I did not plan to go in a break, but I was motivated to show something, I wanted to do an active race as preparation for my possible participation in the Vuelta a España. I want to use this race to come on the top of my form for the Vuelta. We have a strong team here at the Binck Bank Tour, so I am ready to help our leaders at upcoming stages, - said Laurens De Vreese.
Stage 1 of the race (179,7 km) has ended with the massive sprint, won by the World champion Peter Sagan, who outsprinted German rider Phil Bauhaus by photo finish. Third place took Danish rider Magnus Cort Nielsen.
De Vreese was one of the most aggressive riders in the break, winning the Binck Golden KM and taking 9 seconds, enough to move into second place in the general classification of the race. After stage 1 Laurens De Vreese is in just 1 second behind stage winner and first GC leader Peter Sagan.
- It was a good day for Astana Team. Laurens De Vreese looked really well in the break. He won all three sprints Golden KM and took 9 seconds in total. Very nice performance for him. In the sprint we had Riccardo Minali, but he missed a bit to be presented in the final. Tomorrow we will have a short time trial, where De Vreese will start just before Peter Sagan, - added sports director Lars Michaelsen.
Tomorrow, an individual time trial of 9 km will be held in Voorburg as stage 2 of the Binck Bank Tour.
Photo credit: ©Bettiniphoto
