Suprised victory for Kockelmann, UAE Women’s Tour, Neutralized TT in Valenciana

 

It was a chaotic rush to the finish line as Mathieu Kockelmann (Lotto Intermarche) took his first professional victory beating Dylan Gronewegen and Matteo Moschetti in the second stage of Etoile de Besseges. It was left for a photo-finish to decide, but this was ultimately Mathieu Kockelmann as the winner.

“It actually wasn’t the plan for me to go for the win. I was =supposed to lead out Matys Griselda, as agreed in the pre-stage meeting. I came through in front, launched my sprint and expected him to come past me in the final 10 metres. I never looked back and just kept going… until it turned out I had crossed the line first (laughs). Luckily, I still had the reflex to throw my bike at the line, which allowed me to beat Groenewegen. I’m amazed.”

-Mathieu Kockelmann

Strong winds force Volta à la Comunitat Valenciana organizers to decide stage 2 TT times will not count on GC. Remco Evenepoel wins the the neutralized TT and Biniam Girmay remains in the lead.