Pavel Bittner sprints to 3rd after echelon-filled finale at Volta Catalunya

Stage five at Volta Ciclista a Catalunya saw the peloton take on a 165 kilometre route from Paüls to Amposta. Despite a few rolling hills in the opening half of the day it looked set to be one for the fast-men, but all eyes were on the wind conditions for the finale. Team Picnic PostNL set out their stall early and helped to contribute to the pace setting in the peloton behind the seven rider breakaway that had formed out front; not letting their gap grow too large.

Everything had almost regrouped with 50 kilometres still to race but as the peloton turned into a headwind, two of the original break forged on. Keeping calm and in control, the team held position at the front of the peloton as the kilometres ticked by. Entering the last 20 kilometres the route changed direction and the speed dramatically increased with the bunch blowing to pieces in crosswinds. Nils Eekhoff and Pavel Bittner made it into the front split, and upped the pace, helping to increase the gap to those behind. Eekhoff had to let go of the group inside the last ten kilometres while Bittner followed the wheels. Coming into the sprint it was a tense battle as the group battled into a headwind. Launching his effort at around 200 metres to go, Bittner hit the front with speed but was passed by two others before the line; ultimately claiming a good third place for the team on the day.

Bittner expressed: “Firstly I have to say big compliments to the guys; every day here so far we’ve went in with full commitment but today was on another level. The aim was to put me and Nils into the final as best as we could. From the start there was a threat of echelons, and we were always out in the front with the guys working and taking turns; which was really nice and made me proud. Then coming into the final it was me and Nils who got into the front split. I was there without much of a problem and was feeling really good and ready for the sprint. It was a bit unfortunate that Nils had to drop out of the front group, but I felt confident. In the end I focused on the two guys in front of me who I thought were the fastest on the flat and launched around them, but Brennan and Del Grosso came from my wheel and did a smarter sprint, so congrats to them as well. At first I was a bit disappointed, as it was really on the golden platter for me to grab another WorldTour win, but it was just like it was. I think overall we can be really proud of the performance today.” 

Team Picnic PostNL coach Pim Ligthart added: “The goal for today was to get Nils and Pavel as fresh as possible into the final, so that we oculd sprint with Pavel. I saw some really good teamwork from the guys today. It was always supposed to be hectic with the wind and were all day in position, and the guys came back to each other. When the echelon was formed Nils and Pavel were there at ease, and then rode with the echelon to keep things going. Unfortunately we lost Nils in the last ten kilometres from that front group, but Pavel could follow and did the sprint. We took a nice third place on the day and I’m really happy with the teamwork, and we’re doing a solid week here so far.”