Bauhaus takes 3 jerseys with his first win for BORA –
ARGON 18!
Phil Bauhaus wins the first stage of the Tour de Azerbaidjan.
It was expected that the opening stage of the Tour de Azerbaidjan will be something for
the sprinters, still one brave rider tried to fool the peloton with a solo breakaway. After
the gap increased to more than 8 minutes, it was BORA – ARGON 18 to take control in
the peloton. With about 60k to go the lonesome rider was caught, and also several
attacks on the finishing circuit could not prevent BORA – ARGON 18 from implementing
their plan to prepare a sprint finish for Phil Bauhaus.
The last two lead-out men, Michi Schwarzmann and Scott Thwaites, did a perfect job to
launch the sprint for Phil. The young German sprint talent then took a confident first ever
win in BORA – ARGON 18 colours. With this win he also secured 3 leaders jerseys for the
team, for the GC, the points classification and the young rider classification! Tomorrow’s
stage is a lot hillier than today, but with good legs like today Phil could be a favourite also
tomorrow.
“We started pretty early today to take responsibility in the peloton, because we knew that
Phil had a good chance today. Schilli (A. Schillinger) rode almost the whole day on the
front, but really everyone did a great job today. In the final Schwarzi (M. Schwarzmann)
and Scott (Thwaites) did a perfect lead-out. I am happy and proud that Phil could take his
first win in BORA – ARGON 18 colours today. Tomorrow we will see if we can control the
race again like today. The course is a lot hillier and the forecast looks like crosswinds the
whole day. Then it will be really challenging for us, because here in Azerbaidjan are just 6men teams on the line, that makes it a lot harder to defend a jersey.” – André Schulze,
sports director
“The team did an excellent job today, everybody sacrificed himself today and I am really
happy that I could pay back that with this win. It is also great to have the first win for
BORA – ARGON 18 under my belt now. Tomorrow will be different, a hard stage with
some climbs that are harder than they look. But if everybody is working together that
well like today, there is also a chance for me again I guess.” – Phil Bauhaus