Rekita takes rushes classification at first day of the Tour de Luxembourg

In this first stage it took a while before the break of the day was allowed to go away. After a first, unsuccessful attempt, Leopard Pro Cycling's Szymon Rekita was part of a four-men breakaway during his second go after about 30 kilometers. The cooperation in the front group was good, although one of the attackers dropped himself to the bunch early on, after the 3 GPM sprints of the day.

The trio in front established a maximum lead of about 3 minutes, but the peloton seemed to have all under control. However, when approaching the local laps in Bascharage, Rekita's breakaway group was down to two riders, but still had a solid lead to the pack. Therefore, the Pole was able to win two rush sprints, after already being involved in a rush sprint earlier this day. It led to the win in today's rushes classification, next to the gained time bonus of seven seconds.

From the pack, Italian Tonelli bridged to the front and the trio almost managed to go all the way. After being caught at 4 kilometers from the line, a bunch sprint finish was inevitable. It was Laporte who took his second win, beating Justin Jules, who crashed over the line. In this tricky bunch sprint, Leopard Pro Cycling was unfortunately not able to mix in. Thanks to his seven bonus seconds, Szymon Rekita moves up to position seventeen overall. Leopard also has Alexander Krieger and Konrad Gessner in the top ranks of the GC, in position five and twelve.
 
Szymon Rekita: "It is a good start to the Tour de Luxembourg for us. Of course we were close to a stage win, but there are more days to come. We hope to have the same result as last year, with a top three in the GC, or better. However, we take it day by day. We know that we are strong and we are very motivated to give it our all."

Prologue
Yesterday, the ŠKODA Tour de Luxembourg started with a short, but technical prologue in the city centre of Luxembourg. Just like previous years, Leopard's Alexander Krieger had a solid performance and finished in sixth,only three second behind winner Laporte. Konrad Gessner finished in position 13, Pit Leyder took 23rd.

GC ŠKODA Tour de Luxembourg (2.HC) - After Stage 1
5. Alexander Krieger (GER) + 0'13"
12. Konrad Gessner (GER) + 0'18"
17. Szymon Rekita (POL) + 0'19"
23. Pit Leyder (LUX) + 0'20"
32. Gaëtan Pons (LUX) + 0'22"
87. Filip Maciejuk (POL) + 0'34"
98. Jack Burke (CAN) + 0'41"