Tour de Yorkshire – Stage 2 – Matteo Pelucchi «I was up against someone who simply was faster than me»

(Source: ASO)

For the sprinters, stage 2 was a now-or-never scenario, as Moreno Hofland was obviously aware.  The Jumbo-Lotto rider came out on top for this second day of the Tour of Yorkshire, beating out IAM Cycling’s Matteo Pelucchi.  The Italian sprinter’s Swiss team had put in an immense amount of work throughout the stage to ensure that the final would indeed be decided by a sprint, but Pelucchi found he lacked just that extra important bit of power to take the win on the line in York.

(Source: ASO)

When asked to explain his day, Pelucchi first and foremost wanted to stress his appreciation towards his teammates who rode so hard for him all stage.  “It was a flat stage certainly, but very hard overall,” Pelucchi said.  “We had to control the race all day.  I really want to thank my teammates because they rode on the front the entire time in order to give me the chance in the final sprint.  I am very sorry to have taken second, but I was up against someone who simply was faster than me.  I gave the maximum of myself, but I do feel that I still lacked that bit of rhythm, that extra something special.  That final attack by Greg Van Avermaet surprised everyone a little bit, and it ended up blurring the plan that we were riding to.  When Jonas Van Genechten dropped me off for the sprint at 250 meters to go, Moreno Hofland got off faster than me.  I could not out pace him.  However, I am happy with the result if only because it is a good sign for the upcoming Giro.”

(Source: ASO)

Mario Chiesa, Pelucchi’s fellow Italian and directeur sportif, shared his rider’s estimation of the day.  “The team rode all day to sweep up the breakaway group,” Chiesa confirmed.  “We used up riders who may have been able to help out more in the final, which is perhaps why Matteo lacked that little extra bit once the sprint was launched.  But we must also recognized that Moreno Hofland was very strong.”