Brand builds confidence with strong ride on final stage of Czech Tour

Team Novo Nordisk brought the curtain down on four days of hot and hilly racing at the Czech Tour with a composed and positive performance on the summit finish at Pustevny, with Manxman Sam Brand first over the line for the American team on the demanding final stage.

The 160.2km stage departed the baroque splendour of Kroměříž, heading north-east into the Moravian-Silesian Beskids mountains and the long climb up to the Pustevny saddle  — a finish that has become one of the Czech Tour’s most iconic and challenging conclusions. Pustevny is a demanding climb that has decided more than one race overall in recent editions, and with the general classification still to be settled it was always going to be an explosive final day.

The breakaway went early, with only five riders making it clear — a smaller group than the team had hoped for — and Team Novo Nordisk settled into the peloton, working patiently for Brand and David Lozano on the approach to the long final climb.

“The whole team has done an amazing job this week,” said Brand. “I’ve felt better and better on the climbs each day — I’m dealing with the heat pretty well, and once David told me to ride my own pace up to Pustevny I just kept my head down and tried to do my best.”

The Manxman, who has grown visibly in confidence through the four days of racing, reflected on the team’s broader objectives for the week. “Like yesterday, we wanted to be in the break again, but this time it was more about paying attention in case a large group went — and in the end it was only five guys,” he said. “We’re lucky to be able to do what we do, and the reception here in Czechia has been out of this world. Seeing kids at the finish line in Team Novo Nordisk jerseys is an incredible feeling.”

With the Czech Tour now behind them, the team can reflect on a week that saw Filippo Ridolfo consistently competitive in the sprint stages, a well-executed breakaway on stage three, and Brand growing stronger with each passing day in the Moravian mountains — positive building blocks for the weeks ahead.