Lidl-Trek came into the Lidl Deutschland Tour with big ambitions and so far the Team is not disappointing!
Stage 1 came to an close with a special second victory for Jonathan Milan, this time off the back of some impressive teamwork all day to control the race and help set up a bunch sprint at the home of Lidl.
It’s like our hometown, it’s super special to win here.
The key point of today was a short, punchy climb that came with 14 kilometers to go and provided a perfect opportunity for late attackers to disrupt the Team’s plan.
However, Lidl-Trek was ready for it! Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier did the lion’s share of the work leading up to the climbing, always keeping a small breakaway at a manageable distance. This ensured that the rest of the team had all the energy needed to get over the climb, match the pace of the ensuing attacks, and pull them back all in the space of around 10 kilometers.
Spoiler! The Team did just that thanks to the strength of the group at the Lidl Deutschland Tour.
Heading into the final kilometers it was Daan Hoole, Toms Skujins and Mads Pedersen leading the Italian sprinter towards the finish with Pedersen producing an impressive final lead-out before Milan powered himself towards the line.
Watch how the final kilometer unfolded 🚩
🎩 Chapeau guys! What a ride today from the whole team!? 💪💪#DeineTour pic.twitter.com/0u6iJ9IVcp
— Lidl-Trek (@LidlTrek) August 22, 2024
Jonathan Milan’s reaction 🎤
I think we should start from the beginning. Like always we had super great teamwork to get a finish like this. I have to say thanks to all the team, not just for the last 15km. Amanuel did an impressive ride today. He controlled the race so well on his on for 145km, a thanks to him. I’m not surprised though, he’s quite used to do these things, he controlled all the race alone.
The @AmanuelAmanyel3 train 🚂 always run on time 💪🙌#DeineTour https://t.co/2V4jaT9MgG
— Lidl-Trek (@LidlTrek) August 22, 2024
I’m really happy the team gave 100% at the end of this race where it was quite tricky with a few attacks. It was tough to get over this climb, to stay with the first group, but I managed it well with Daan, Alex and Toms, and in the end with Mads. It was a special, special victory for us.
We knew we had to take the final climb in the front and that someone would try [to attack]. It was really tough.
I would like to become [the best sprinter in the world] one day. I know that I can try my best and get some nice results, but we know there are some super strong guys, like Mads, I have to say.
HEILBRONN, GERMANY - AUGUST 22: Jonathan Milan of Italy and Team Lidl - Trek - Blue Leader Jersey celebrates at finish line as stage winner during the 39th Deutschland Tour 2024, Stage 1 a 176.3km stage from Schweinfurt to Heilbronn on / #UCIWT / August 22, 2024 in Heilbronn, Germany. (Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images)
Let’s take it day by day. The legs are quite fine on these climbs, we will see. We still have some days to go, there’s still a bit of pressure. It’s a really special race for us here and we will do our best in the next stages, and also have fun. Today, I saw Mads was really good, responding to the attacks on the climb. Tomorrow we will see, I would be happy to give a hand to Mads to help him."
