Slovenia: Consonni ends day in leader’s jersey 4th

In the second stage of the Tour of Slovenia, 152.7kms from Maribor to Rogaska Slatina, UAE Team Emirates’s young sprinter arrived just off the podium after having to restart his sprint.

“I started a little bit behind,” said Simone Consonni. “I’m a little bit upset because today as well because I had good legs. Unfortunately, I lost the wheel of Groenewegen and Pelucchi at 500 metres to go and I was a little behind. The speed was high and to recuperate those spots was not easy.

I want to thank my team-mates who worked hard during the stage to keep it under control. First with Mirza, and then with Bono and Durasek through 15km to race.

It was a strong emotion to start with the leaders’s jersey and to see the team work all for me. I wanted to do the best possible for them today.”

Dylan Groenewegen (LottoNL-Jumbo) won the group sprint ahead of Matteo Pelucchi (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Caleb Ewan (Mitchelton-Scott).

Benjamin Hill, from Ljublijana Gusto Xaurum, jumped to the head of the overall classification.

Tomorrow, the third stage from Slovenske Konjice to Celjski Grad, covers 176 kilometres. Ahead of the summit finish, the riders face a fourth and second category climb at 124 and 160 kilometres into the stage.

Stage 2 results

1.Goenewegen (Team LottoNL-Jumbo) 3:35:43

2.Matteo Pelucchi (Bora-hasngrohe) s.t.

3.Caleb Ewan (Mitchelton-Scott) s.t.

4.Simone Consonni (UAE Team Emirates) s.t.

General Classification after stage 2

1.Benjamin Hill (Ljubljana Gusto Xaurum)

2.Matteo Pelucchi (Bora-hasngrohe) 3″

3.Simone Consonni (UAE Team Emirates) 5″

Photo Credits: Bettini