Kluckers 5th, Teutenberg 8th in GC Triptyque des Monts & Châteaux
Just like at the recent Olympia's Tour, Leopard Pro Cycling comes back home with two top 10 GC results in a highly-rated stage.
Le Triptyque des Monts & Châteaux (UCI 2.2) summarized
Leopard Pro Cycling started the race already behind, because one of the foreseen riders had to drop out at the last moment. Luckily it did not affect morale and the team performed well in the cold and action-packed opening stage. Tim Torn Teutenberg was active and able to catch the right move that went for the stage victory. Unfortunately, the finish up the Mont Saint-Aubert was just a bit too hard for the German sprinter, but with an 9th place on the day, and Arthur Kluckers close behind in 16th, a lot of opportunities opened up heading into the second day. Worth mentioning: Teutenberg was leading the rushes classification after stage one, fought hard for this jersey and (spoilers) was able to wear and win it for the entire race.
On day two, Teutenberg and Kluckers showed that they are not afraid for cobblestones. In fact, they were amongst the race's best riders and it was no surprise that they got away in a 13-men group that went all the way to the line. There was unfortunately not a stage win, but with position three (Teutenberg) and six (Kluckers), the team headed with great motivation into the final race day with two stages.
The morning stage was a 14.2 kilometers long individual time trial. Two riders completely outclassed the competition and it became clear that the Leopard riders needed to give it their all in order to not lose too much time and therefore still be in the GC battle for the afternoon stage. The time trial route was far from easy, but both Kluckers (13th: 44 seconds) and Teutenberg (22nd: one minute) did okay and a final top GC result was coming every so close for both guys. In the afternoon it was all or nothing up to the finish line on the Côte du Beau-Site (1.2 kilometers at a 7.8% average gradient). In the end, both Leopard GC contenders did what was need. In fact: Arthur Kluckers went on the podium on the stage (third) and for Teutenberg a lot more was possible if it weren't for a crash at three kilometers from the line. Luckily the German was able to quickly get back on the bike and conclude the Triptyque des Monts et Châteaux in solid fashion.
Result Olympia’s Tour (UCI 2.2)
1. Enzo Paleni (FRA) – Equipe continentale Groupama-FDJ
5. Arthur Kluckers (LUX) + 0'55"
8. Tim Torn Teutenberg (GER) + 1'18"
33. Cedric Pries (LUX) + 7'53"
70. Louis Coqueret (FRA) + 19'16"
Next up:
06-09.04 Circuit des Ardennes International | France | UCI 2.2
16.04 Liège-Bastogne-Liege U23 | Belgium | UCI 1.2U
Arthur Kluckers, fifth in the GC
"To begin I am very happy to take the third place in the hardest stage today. I know that hard racing generally suits me pretty well and with a final climb that required power, I knew that with the right legs a lot was possible. I am happy that it turned out this way. In the first stage, unfortunately, I missed the first echelon. I was able to do a pretty good final there and not lose too much time, so that give me already some confidence. I would say it went better and better from that point on. As this is a very big U23 race, I am happy with how it went in general and that I was able to show that I can race with the best. Racing in front all race was a very nice feeling. Off to the next challenges!"
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