Cycling AIS cyclists win first two stages of major European race
11 Jun 2009
Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) cyclists Leigh Howard and Jack Bobridge are off to a flying start by winning the first two stages of the Under-23 International Thuringen Tour being held in Germany from 7 to 13 June 2009.
Howard raced to victory in the first stage of the 167 kilometre circuit, which looped around Erfurt, in 3 hours 57 minutes 42 seconds.
He unleashed a blistering sprint 70 metre from the finish line, followed by Dutchman Steven Kruijswijk in second place with Austrian Stefan Denifl third. Bobridge finished close behind in the main group.
Howard was thrilled by the win.
‘This year I’m coming in to this race in good form. It was great to win on the first day and to take the sprint jersey, which is my aim for the Tour,’ he said.
Bobridge won the second stage of the 164 kilometre race at Oberhof in 4 hours 40 seconds, finishing ahead of Germans Kim Lachmann in second place and Tino Meier in third. In a burst of speed, Bobridge sprinted 500 metres out from the finish line to win.
AIS team-mate Rohan Dennis raced alongside Bobridge, but dropped back on the last lap of the circuit to finish 3 minutes 49 seconds behind the winner.
Bobridge and Howard have been in training with the AIS Cycling program based in Gavirate, Italy.
