Leemreize just off the podium in mountain stage in Sibiu Tour
Gijs Leemreize has finished fourth in the second stage of the Sibiu Tour. In the mountain stage to Bâlea Lac, the young rider could not reward his strong performance with a podium.
The second stage in the Sibiu Tour was about the general classification, with a 22-kilometre-long final climb. On the climb, the group quickly thinned out. Team Jumbo-Visma riders Leemreize and Chris Harper were able to keep up for a long time but fell just short of victory.
"I had hoped that I could ride for the win today"
For Leemreize, it is his first stage race after his impressive performance in the Giro. That does not alter that the Dutchman started with ambition. "I had hoped I could ride for the win today. Ultimately, fourth is not quite enough, but it's not bad either. In hindsight, I am not completely satisfied. On the climb, there were many attacks, but no one got away. When the three rode away, I was too far away and couldn't jump along. I think the strongest three rode in front. I hope to move up a place in tomorrow's climbing time trial and get on the podium.
Sports director Addy Engels looked at the result realistically. "It is a good result. Of course you always hope for more, but Gijs was very close. I think the three who rode before him were a bit too strong. After the Giro, he had a long break and is now back in a stage race for the first time. In that regard, this is a good performance."