Cycling: Caleb Ewan has won the first stage of the Deutschland Tour. In Meiningen, the Australian was able to assert himself confidently in front of the Italian Jonathan Milan in the mass sprint. Max Kanter was the best German in third place, ahead of his compatriot Felix Groß. The German Continental teams Dauner | Akkon, Lotto - Kern-Haus and Saris Rouvy - Sauerland. Leader Filippo Ganna was able to defend his red jersey.
Ewan sprints through the small gap
He didn't want to miss what was probably the only sprinter-friendly stage of this year's Deutschland Tour. Caleb ewan (Lotto – Soudal) won the mass sprint in Meiningen after 171,7 kilometers after the start in Weimar. He even had to miss a step just a few hundred meters from the finish line because his crucial overtaking maneuver was extremely close. Ultimately, however, the little Australian won the sprint in front of the Italian jonathan milan (Bahrain – Victorious) and the two Germans Max Kanter (Movistar) and Felix Gross (UAE).
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Strong performance by the German Conti teams
Even if they were ultimately no longer able to take part in the battle for the day's victory, the German Continental teams presented themselves very well today. The top group of the day was occupied by Roman Duckert (Dauner | Acre), Joshua Huppertz (Lotto – Core House), Jacob Gessner (Lotto – Kern-Haus) and Michael Stockman (Saris Rouvy – Sauerland). All three German Conti teams were represented in the escape group and were able to decide the mountain jersey among themselves. Jakob Gessner proved to be the strongest, winning every sprint for the mountain points ahead of Roman Duckert. This, however, did not want to give up the attack until the end. When his companions had long since been caught by the peloton, he was to fight a few more kilometers. About 13 kilometers before the end, his offensive excursion was over. This was followed by a number of failed attacks - including from last year's winner Nils Politt (Bora – hansgrohe) and leaders Filippo Gana (Ineos Grenadiers).
The final was too difficult for some sprinters
The fact that the Deutschland Tour is a tour with classic requirements was shown again today. When it was about 15 kilometers to go up the hill to Dreissigacker, some sprinters, including the European champions, were no longer able to keep up with the pace of the peloton Fabio Jacobsen (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl) and Fernando Gaviria (UAE). So there was no classic Sprint Royale at the finish in Meiningen. The otherwise fast Dutchman was not able to take part Olav Kooij (Jumbo - Visma). He should actually have worn the mountain jersey today, but after his fall in yesterday's prologue he wasn't on the starting line today, but in the hospital for an examination.
Caleb Ewan (Lotto-Soudal) Gana la Etapa 1 del Tour de Alemania 2022 #yourtour #Noticiclismo #ciclismo pic.twitter.com/ijhBQxTbYT
— NotiCiclismo ▶ #LaVuelta22 (@Noticiclismo1) August 25, 2022