Fernando Gaviria on winning first stage of Tour of Guangxi: The support of my teammates was essential
Oct 18 2019 01:36 am CET
Photo of Fernando Gaviria by UAE-Team Emirates
UAE-Team Emirates' Fernando Gaviria has taken the victory of the first stage at the Tour of Guangxi.
The first victory for the Colombian since the Giro d'Italia -and the fifth of the season- came at the end of a 135.6-kilometre stage that was divided into three laps of 45.5 kilometres. Gaviria was the fastest at the final sprint and beat Pascal Ackermann (Bora-hansgrohe) and Matteo Trentin (Mitchelton-Scott).
"The stage was short but we raced all day at a very high pace," said the sprinter. "The support of my teammates was essential today. They stayed close to me and helped me a lot on the uphill sections. The last climb was still far from the finish so we had time to prepare ourselves for the sprint. We were in a good position coming into the line when all the teams were fighting for position.
"I found myself on the wheel of a rider from Bahrain-Merida and I had the patience and coolness to wait until the last minute to go. The power in the legs was there to come around for the win."
Gaviria also took the lead of the General Classification.
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