The first season race for Team GRENKE - Auto Eder, the Guido Reybrouck Classic in Belgium, took place this past weekend. BORA - hansgrohe's U19 team delivered a commendable performance. Paul Fietzke led the team, finishing in eighth place overall.
Challenging racing on Belgian roads – this past weekend, Team GRENKE - Auto Eder competed in their first race of the year at the Guido Reybrouck Classic (UCI category 2.1). The two-day stage race in the province of West Flanders included a time trial (11.4 kilometres) and a road race (121.9 kilometres). The field featured numerous international top teams, including various national teams and junior selections from several WorldTeams.
Right from the time trial that kicked off the event, the GRENKE - Auto Eder cyclists showed they were well-prepared from their winter training. Four riders finished among the top 17, with Belgian newcomer Thibaut Van Damme showcasing his strong talent by placing sixth. The subsequent road race was characterised by numerous attacks and many crashes, yet no athlete could break away decisively. Noah Lindholm Møller Andersen finished as the team's best rider in 17th place.
In the combined results of both events, Paul Fietzke, from Germany, secured the eighth position as the highest-placed GRENKE - Auto Eder cyclist. Teammates Lorenzo Finn (16th) and Patrick Casey (18th) contributed to the team's commendable outcome. Team GRENKE - Auto Eder is now setting its sights on the Gran Premio del Perdono in Italy, a one-day event scheduled for April 1st. The season's first highlight, the junior version of the spring classic Paris-Roubaix, follows on April 7th.
Result (Overall classification after two stages)
1 CHALEIL Louis 2:59:39
2 TAILLIEU Aldo + 0:07
3 SCHAPER Joeri + 0:08
…
8 FIETZKE Paul + 0:27
Quote
“A good start to the season with challenging racing. The time trial course was anything but simple, and the road race was made particularly tough by the rain and numerous crashes. We now know where we stand and what we need to work on in the coming weeks. Our next race will be the Italian one-day event, GP Perdono, where we hope to secure our first podium of the year.” – Dr. Christian Schrot, Sports Director
Photo: Ludwig Stadler