Ciolek sprints to second place in 4th Stage of Tour Down Under

Today Gerald Ciolek made his mark in an outstanding test on the roads of the Tour Down Under.

The German rider from Omega Pharma – Quick-Step Cycling Team captured an excellent second place in the 4th stage of the Australian race (Norwood-Tanunda 130 km), after being overtaken by the three times World Champion Oscar Freire, who got the best of Ciolek only in the very last metres of the race.

“It was a difficult stage. There were plenty of short climbs, one of which was placed at about 25 km from the arrival” Ciolek says. “It was clear from the start that a lot of the teams wanted to try and eliminate the sprinters on that climb. I ended up in the front positions, and I stayed really alert and was supported by Vermote and Pauwels, who did a great job. For the sprint I was in a good position. I felt like I had the speed and the legs to bust a good sprint, but perhaps I took off a little too early and I got caught. It’s too bad; this was a great chance and I wanted to give the team the joy of a victory. We’re working really well. Here in Australia we’re proving that we’re a very united team. Tomorrow is a very challenging stage; it won’t be easy for me to stay out front. The final climb is long and hard. I’m going to try and do my best and eventually help out Serge Pauwels, who’s pedalling really well and who can stay ahead on a climb with these characteristics. Then on Sunday on the circuit in Adelaide I’ll try again.”

“We’re very happy with Gerald’s performance,” said Sport Director Rik Van Slycke. “Although it leaves a bitter taste in your mouth when success seems so close and just narrowly escapes with just a few metres to go to the finish line. It was a hard stage. At the start, our man Vermote made his move and got into a break, but in the back there was a lot of control to reap the seconds of the sprint intermediate placed at 23 kilometres after the start. After the sprint intermediate a break-away took place, but it was always controlled by the pack. On the short climb at 25 kilometres from the arrival Team Movistar was setting the pace. 48 riders ended up out front including Julien, Serge and Gerald. Perhaps in the final sprint Gerald took off just a little too soon, not managing to maintain speed all the way to the last metres. However, Gerald is motivated and he’s pedalling really well. We asked him to be ready for anything in these races and he has been. He definitely has room to grow. Tomorrow the stage is hard but we can still do well with Pauwels, too, who’s improving day by day.”

Stage Classification:

1. Oscar Freire, Katusha, 3:08:34

2. Gerald Ciolek, Omega Pharma – Quick-Step, 3:08:34

3. Daniele Bennati, RadioShack, 3:08:34

4. Edvald Boasson Hagen, Sky Procycling, 3:08:34

5. Michael Matthews, Rabobank, 3:08:34

General Classification:

1. Martin Kohler, BMC, 15:03:34

2. Michael Matthews, RaboBank, at 0:02

3. Oscar Freire, s.t.

4. Gerald Ciolek, Omega Pharma – Quick-Step, at 0:06

5. Simon Gerrans, Greenedge, at 0:08