Brand Powers Breakaway as Ridolfo Takes 10th on Stage One of Tour of Estonia

Team Novo Nordisk animated the first road stage of the Tour of Estonia, the 203km Tallinn – Tartu stage, with Sam Brand spending a long stint in the day’s breakaway before the peloton reeled it back in with around 50km remaining.

“Today was a good day, I was asked to cover moves at the beginning and found myself in the day’s breakaway – it was great to find my feet and be able to help the lads from the breakaway. In 2019 I was in the break here and took the KOM jersey on the same stage, so was hopeful to take the KOM but was caught 200m before the line. It was good to be back out front and helping the team as much as I could.” reflected Brand.

As the race entered its final phase, the team regrouped and turned its attention to setting up Filippo Ridolfo for the sprint finish. The Italian described a day marked by persistent headwinds that kept the peloton together and prevented the crosswind splits that might have suited his strengths. Despite a slightly frustrating day tactically, he praised the work of his teammates and came home 10th overall, a really solid performance heading into a stage he feels will suit him even better, the Tartu GP tomorrow.

“The breakaway with Sam went really fast and the group slowed down pretty soon. The whole day was pretty easy as there was a headwind, which wasn’t ideal for me – I was hoping for some crosswind but the bunch never really split, so we started focusing on the final sprint. The boys did a great job helping me all day and I did my best paying them back with a top 10. Tomorrow suits me better, so I’m really looking forward to that!” said Ridolfo.

Tomorrow’s (final) stage is the Tartu GP, an 11.2km circuit repeated 14 times, totalling 156.8km. Each circuit is characterized by a short but intense cobble climb that will be sure to separate the group and give Team Novo Nordisk a tactically exciting race.