Sauerlandrundfahrt – Race Report

Stage 2: Brilon -> Siedlinghausen

A small breakaway got away early in the second stage of the Sauerland Rundfahrt, while Development Team Picnic PostNL was well represented at the front of the chasing peloton. On the challenging local circuit, the peloton was gradually reduced, but the team continued to be well represented at the front, with Matthew Peace, Finn O’Brien, Alexandre Trouvain and Lennes Jacobs all making the selection. With the race entering its decisive phase, the four riders continued to work well together. Taking turns to attack on the local circuit, they helped put pressure on the other riders and gradually reduced the group further. Eventually, just around 15 riders remained at the front, with all four Team Picnic PostNL riders still in contention.

In the deep finale, O’Brien made his move together with Bock, who would ultimately go on to win the stage. When Bock managed to open a gap, O’Brien was joined by Trouvain and a teammate of Bock as they worked together to close the gap. Despite giving everything in the chase, they were unable to make the catch, finishing just seven seconds behind the winner. Trouvain crossed the line in third place, with O’Brien taking fourth. A strong display of teamwork saw the team remain in contention all day and fight for the win right through to the finish.

After the stage, Trouvain said: “Together as a team, we stayed near the front of the peloton throughout the race and always made sure we were well positioned for the climbs. In the finale, we did a really good job working together and helping each other, and we had numbers in all the different groups. Finn was up the road with a rider from Bora, while I managed to get across to another Bora rider behind them. Unfortunately, we couldn’t close the gap to the first rider who had dropped Finn. We gave everything we had, so I don’t think there is much to regret. Now we’ll focus on the general classification and try to go for a stage win.”