28-05-2008 22:04:46

Gerald Ciolek blasted past the opposition in the opening stage of the Bayern Rundfahrt on Wednesday for victory in a tough uphill sprint.

“It was my first win of the season, and it’s come on home soil so that makes it all the more special.” Ciolek said.

“I jumped away with 300 metres to go, just after Christian Knees of Milram attacked and I got it by a bike length. I didn’t have a lead-out, it was more a case of every man for himself, but I was doing ok and with 150 metres to go I knew I’d got it.”

“I’d seen the climb already because we did one lap of 25 kilometres of the finishing circuit. That helped a great deal for me to plan out the right strategy to go for it.”

“To be honest, I thought the uphill finish was too steep for him.” added sports director Brian Holm.

“But I didn’t say anything, because I remembered that in the Four Days of Dunkirk [High Road team sports director] Allan Peiper had told me that Gerald got second there on a tough finishing climb.”

“So I thought, we’ll see what we can do. With Gerolsteiner putting seven guys on the front in the last 25 kilometres it was pretty clear what the final scenario would be - a sprint, which was ideal for Gerald.”

“He hadn’t said much in the team meeting in the morning, and I’d noticed that, and even asked him about it, but Gerald is a quiet sort of guy who prefers to let his legs do the talking. He’s got real spirit, he’s a real fighter.”

Ciolek arrived just in time in the team hotel in Germany to see team-mates Mark Cavendish and Andre Greipel triumphing in the Tour of Italy.

“It was a really special moment, they were both really fast and up there where they should have been.”

As for his chances overall in Bayern, Ciolek says “I don’t think I’ll be able to defend the leaders’ jersey beyond the time trial on Saturday, but we’ll certainly do our best to keep it until then.”

Press Release