Zemke optimistic for the Vuelta
Jai Hindley (Bora-Gatesana) | Photo: Riding a bicycle
08/03/2022 | (rsn) – A disappointing performance at the Clasica San Sebastian on Saturday was followed by a significant improvement by Bora – hansgrohe at the Circuite de Getxo (1.1): Wilco Kelderman was third in the Spanish race in one day, his teammate Emanuel. Buchmann finished fifth. And at the start of the tour of Burgos (2nd pro), things went well for the Raublingers: Jai Hindley finished fourth, Kelderman followed two positions behind the Giro winner.
“Honestly, Saturday was a big shock to my body as I ran my first race after a long break. Sunday was much better and today (Tuesday, ie editor) said Hindley, who finished twelfth on the Circuite de Getxo: “I had a really good leg for the first time.” “I prepared well in Andorra, but I always need a hard competition to get in shape,” pushed the Australian as an explanation.
At the foot of the final 900m climb to the Mirador del Castillo, Hindley was even on the back wheel of eventual winner Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious). But when he started fast, he “hesitated for a second because I was on the limit.” Hindley crossed the finish line of the first stage three seconds behind Columbia.
Regarding the Vuelta a Espana, which begins on August 19 in Utrecht, the results give him a positive feeling. Hindley added “I am happy with how I feel and can now look forward with confidence”.
Buitrago with “Großschartner-Move” for victory
Jens Zemke is also satisfied with the start in Burgos. Sports director Bora hopes that his team will be able to repeat the coup of Felix Großschartner. Two years ago, the Austrian won the first stage in Burgos in the same place. But this time Raublingers had no chance against Buitrago at Mirador del Castillo.
“Our plan was again to attack fast. We knew there would be a big field in the final climb and a good position was important. The team placed Wilco and Jai well. But then Buitrago made the exact move that Großschartner did when he won,” explained Zemke.
Zemke admitted: “Buitrago looked strong and impossible to close the gap when he was a few meters ahead,” Zemke admitted, but added: “We are happy with the fourth and sixth places for Jai and Wilco. The development, which we have seen. Since San Sebastian until today is the promise of the Vuelta,” concluded the man from Wiesbaden.
