Cycling: It took a long time, but on May 5th the time had finally come. Austrian cycling can finally celebrate its first win of the season. Stephan Rabitsch (Felbermayr-Simplon-Wels) won the third stage of the Rhône-Alpes Isère Tour. The Austrian also took the lead in the overall standings.
After five second places finally the first victory
Actually, the Austrians didn't start the 2018 season badly at all. With Gregor Muehlberger (Bora-hansgrohe) was the first professional from Austria to finish second at the Mallorca Challenge Trofeo Lloseta-Andratx at the end of January. However, this was the prelude to some second places. Mark Haller (Katusha-Alpecin) was beaten on the fifth stage of the Dubai Tour. Luke Schlemmer (Felbermayr-Simplon-Wels) lost out at the GP Laguna, Matthew Krizek (Felbermayr-Simplon-Wels) on the second stage of the Tour of Turkey and Daniel Auer (WSA Pushbikers) at the GP Izola. All this in February. The first win should take a while. But even without a win, the pros from Austria drew attention to themselves. Above all Felix Grossschartner and Patrick Conrad from the Bora-hansgrohe team. Among other things, both managed to jump into the top 10 in the overall ranking on the Paris-Nice long-distance trip. But then someone else was to be on top of the podium for the first time. Stephen Rabitsch (Felbermayr-Simplon-Wels) attacked on the third stage of the Rhône-Alpes Isère Tour with ten kilometers to go and saved a narrow lead over his pursuers across the line. Who knows? Perhaps this was the prelude to a whole series of Austrian victories.
Sous la chaleur 🔥 you @RHAIsereTour c'est Stephan Rabitsch qui s'impose ! ©️ @perrinesvy pic.twitter.com/cQsuOFFvz7
— Perrine Svy (@perrinesvy) 5 May 2018