A good start to the week for the Wolfpack.
One of the many stage races on the calendar won by our team, the Tour de Luxembourg got underway with a hilly stage held around the country’s capital. Four ranked ascents made things interesting Wednesday afternoon, with Côte de Stafelter being the last hurdle on the course. Only 2.2 kilometers in length, but averaging 7.2% and featuring some really steep gradients just 300 meters from the top, Stafelter made its third appearance in as many years at the race, and the tempo pushed there by some of the teams whittled down the peloton to around 50 riders.
Despite a couple of attacks on the fast descent, the group remained together and the winner emerged on the leg-sapping slopes of the final kilometer. The double-digit gradients in the closing 300 meters made for an exciting fight for victory, which went to Romain Gregoire (Groupama-FDJ), who is the first leader of the race.
Pepijn Reinderink – winner of the KOM jersey at the previous edition of the Tour de Luxembourg – was the highest-ranked Soudal Quick-Step rider on this stage, finishing in tenth place after a strong effort on this punchy finish.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images
