The 49th Int. Upper Austrian Insurance Junior Tour 2024 continued on Saturday with the 2nd stage with start and finish in Sarleinsbach. On the intensive 116.5 kilometers with a total of 1,845 meters of elevation to be covered, the cycling stars of the future were pretty much demanded of everything. From the beginning, a high pace was set and one attack after the other was launched.
Until the last of a total of six laps, no breakaway riders managed to get more than 18 seconds away from the main field. The Austrians put in a strong performance today: Valentin Hofer from Team Upper Austria not only secured a sprint classification in Sarleinsbach, but was also in the running for the stage win for a long time. The 17-year-old from Maria Schmolln is considered a great talent in local cycling and showed his skills today. The Austrian road champion Manolo Wrolich was also in the leading group at times.
Fall of the leader in the final corner
Around 20 kilometers from the finish, an 8-man leading group attacked, including Valentin Hofer from Team Upper Austria. The attentive main field was able to catch up with the breakaway riders and the peloton rode at a tremendous pace towards the finish in Sarleinsbach. Then, 10 kilometers from the finish, there was the decisive attack by four riders, who were able to save a razor-thin lead over the 70-man main field that was roaring towards them.
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Photo: Reinhard Eisenbauer
Source: Nachrichten
