Impressive start to the Upper Austria tour

The Tour of Upper Austria began this evening with a short but steep and crisp sprint over 250 meters up Linz’s local mountain. The opening stage of the 17th edition of this classic in the local racing scene led from the main square over four and a half kilometers up to the pilgrimage basilica on the Pöstlingberg, where the Brazilian Henrique Ribeiro Bravo from the Soudal Quick-Step Devo Team took the overall leader’s jersey. After just 8:37 minutes, he even pulled out a small lead over the first chasers in a hectic race at an average speed of over 30 km/h (!) – an impressive performance by the South American, who launched the ultimately decisive attack at just the right moment before the final climb.

In front of an impressive crowd Colin Stüssi (photo) flew the Team Vorarlberg flag high. The Swiss rider was repeatedly in the leading group and finally crossed the finish line 17 seconds behind the winner. He will start the second stage in 18th place, which leads from Eferding over 187 kilometers to Reichersberg on Friday. K19 will be broadcasting from 15:30 at  www.k19.at/live/195.

After a total of four stages and 520 kilometers, the tour will finish on Sunday at Aigen-Schlägl Abbey. The UCI category 2.2 race has a first-class line-up with development teams from World Tour teams and various national teams.  

With Dominik Röber, Colin Stüssi, Emanuel Zangerle, Tobias Nolde, Kilian Feurstein and Philipp Hofbauer, Team Vorarlberg boss Thomas Kofler and race director Paul Renger are relying on a powerful squad that will be on the attack from tomorrow.

Result: www.livetiming.at/live.php?V_ID=260604

Further information: www.ooe-classics.at/ooe-rundfahrt

Squad: Colin Stüssi, Emanuel Zangerle, Dominik Röber, Tobias Nolde, Kilian Feurstein, Philipp Hofbauer