Lorenzo Rota praises "good strategy" as Intermarché - Wanty - Gobert Matériaux win Sazka Tour

Lorenzo Rota took his first pro win this week at the Sazka Tour in the Czech Republic, and yesterday he took his second as he consolidated the overall classification in what was a surprising win taking into consideration the route.

"First of all I want to thank each of my six teammates, because they worked hard for four days to enable me to win the final classification," the Italian said at the end of the final stage in Šternberk. "We expected to be attacked in this stage, especially on the hilly and fast final circuit with some cobble sections".

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Having won the first summit finish of the race on stage two - of four - Rota got himself in the yellow jersey. With the team choosing the Czech Republic as a build up for the Vuelta a Espana, unlike most who went into the Vuelta a Burgos or the Tour de Pologne, it was to benefit as they took the final win. Rota had the support of the likes of Jan Hirt, Domenico Pozzovivo and Rein Taaramae, who are expected to race the Vuelta.

"The composition of the early breakaway was good for us, we could give them some freedom," he said regarding the final day. However in the hilly finale it was up to him to secure the lead. "I then had to react to several attacks on the final circuit. I had the legs to attack myself on the final climb, but I chose to play it safe and wait for the final sprint on cobbles".

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Sure enough he just barely managed to save the race, as he outsprinted Anton Charmig into third place on the day. If the result had been the other way around the Norwegian would've won the GC, but Rota has secured what may be the most important result of his career.

"And in the end it was a good strategy to secure the overall win," he concluded. The 27-year old's schedule in the coming weeks is not yet known, however with the form he's been showing in the last few weeks it would not come as a surprise to see him in contention in several World Tour events.

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LORENZO ROTA WINS THE SAZKA TOUR 🙌 He took 3rd place of the final stage behind two breakaway 👏 #SazkaTour 🇨🇿

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