A “Vorarlberger” won the start of the Tour of Austria

She’s back – and how. The Tour of Austria, which has returned after a forced break of three years and is now called the Tour of Austria, made a splendid return yesterday at the opening stage of the 72nd edition in Dornbirn. Already at the team presentation on Saturday, many spectators had gathered at the market square to greet the cycling aces. On Sunday, thousands along the route in the “country” a victory announced by the German Pascal Ackermann (UAE).

The Vorarlberger by choice, who lives just a few kilometers from the finish in Lauterach, won the sprint after 147.6 kilometers ahead of the Ecuadorian Jhonatan Narvaez and his compatriot Kim Heiduk (both Ineos). “I’ve ridden the track again and again in training over the last few months, I really wanted to win here. I’ve lived here for almost five years. For me it really feels like a home win”said a happy Ackermann, who had already won a stage of the Giro d’Italia in May and had even put up with a fall on the uphill climb in Buch yesterday.

The restart of the race was previously shaped by others. Soon a quartet pulled away from the field, which also included Felix Ritzinger from Felbermayr Wels and Ziga Horvat (Hrinkow Steyr). The former stayed ahead for the longest time before he too fell victim to the speed dictates of the World Tour teams. Ritzinger was given the honor of being the most active driver of the stage as a consolation. Tobias Bayer (Alpecin) was allowed to wear the jersey of the best Austrian in ninth place.

Lukas Pöstlberger is particularly motivated in his adopted home of Tyrol, where section two ends on Monday in Innsbruck after crossing the climb three times to Axams. The Schwanenstadt native, who lives there with his girlfriend Anna Spielmann, a mountain biker, should like the snappy finale. “This is my home track, I know every meter. And I saw it last time at the state championships, the legs turn well.”