The An Post-Chain Reaction Cycles team had a very impressive start to the Tour of Britain (UCI 2.HC) today as they ended the day with the Yodel sprints classification jersey and 2nd place position on GC.
Two riders from the Irish team managed to infiltrate the break of the day which went right from the start. Belgian rider Emiel Wastyn and his Dutch team-mate Jasper Bovenhuis represented An Post, with Pete Williams (One Pro Cycling), Tom Moses (JLT Condor) and Jonathan McEvoy (NFTO) also making the break.
The leaders worked well together but their lead never extended beyond four minutes as there were too many teams behind with an interest in the stage finishing in a bunch sprint.
Bovenhuis managed to take maximum points at the 3 Yodel Sprints in Glasgow, Kilmarnock and Dalmellington meaning he would end the day in the leader’s jersey for the sprints classification.
With just over 30 kilometres remaining, Wastyn went off on a solo effort. However, he was brought back by the other four riders. Wastyn made another attempt to go clear, but with 10 kilometres left, the break were brought back by the peloton with Team Sky doing much of the work to try and set up a bunch sprint for Elia Viviani.
The teams of One Pro Cycling, LottoNL-Jumbo, Lotto-Soudal, Trek-Segafredo and Team Sky stayed near the front in the closing kilometres to try and ensure their sprinters were well positioned.
It was Andre Greipel who proved strongest at the finish in Castle Douglas as he edged out Caleb Ewan (Orica-BikeExchange) and Ramon Sinkledam (Giant-Alpecin) for the win. The result meant Greipel will wear the first yellow jersey of the race, but just second ahead of Bovenhuis thanks to the bonus seconds picked up by the An Post rider.
The race continues tomorrow with a 188-kilometre stage from Carlisle to Kendal.
