The day after the prologue won by the Briton Ethan Vernon (Soudal Quick-Step), his teammate Ilan Van Wilder signed a second consecutive success for the Belgian formation of Patrick Lefevere.
The young Belgian (23) built his victory, his first among professionals, by attacking the last difficulty of the day, the Ellerberg coast (1.8 km at 6.2%) 8 km from the line. Only the Frenchman Pavel Sivakov and the Austrian Felix Grossschartner managed to hang his wheel. The trio resisted the return of the peloton which failed a few lengths. Van Wilder then won by launching his sprint 200 meters from the line.
On Friday, the 2nd stage connects Kassel to Winterberg (201 km) and promises to be a challenge with a positive elevation of more than 3000 meters which should suit the Belgian’s climbing qualities well.
Habitual privileged teammate of Remco Evenepoel, the Flemish has given up accompanying his leader on the Vuelta (which starts on Saturday in Barcelona), eager to play his own card in Germany.
