Tour de Hellas

Team Novo Nordisk navigated well the currents of the double headed opening stage of the Tour of Hellas as the race got underway with an initial prologue followed by a short road stage around the ancient port of Thessaloniki.

21-year-old Czech sprinter Matyas Kopecky returned with a bang after recovering from a recent illness and after placing 14^th in the mornings time trial, sprinted to his eighth top ten of the season in the early evening finale.

General manager Vassili Davidenko:

“That’s a good start for us, all the guys came through the prologue ok and then watching the team do a great job of working together for Matyas in this afternoon’s stage was very pleasing.”

”We were well organized and the work Umberto and also David did in helping bring back the breakaway was key to us having the chance to sprint in the end. Another opportunity tomorrow and we’ll recover and look to build on today’s positive start.”

Matyas Kopecky:

“Absolutely amazing job by the guys today, that’s maybe the best we’ve ridden as a unit this season and I’m sorry that I couldn’t finish it off with a better result. I was looked after all the way through and after some impressive work by the guys bringing back the breakaway Andrea left me in a great position with around 250m to go and eighth was the best I could do today.”

“I know I’m missing some top end after being sick for a few weeks, but I also know that I’m not a pure sprinter, so my chances are greater if I come from behind and carry the speed with me. Going up against someone like Jakub Mareczko in a finish like todays is always going to be a hard one win.”