Mezgec Thankful For His Team Mates

Last updated : 25 March 2014 By Covsupport News Service

Slovenian Luka Mezgec was full of praise for his team mates after he took his second successive victory in the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya.

The Giant Shimano said about his victory at the end of a second stage which finished in Girona to his team's press office: "My sprint has really come on after working hard over the winter together with the team coaches and experts and it's great to feel the hard hours paying off now.

"I have to also thank my teammates for their hard work again today. It is never easy when it is wet and cold but they were great.

"The hills weren't too bad today, much easier than on paper. We had to push hard to get Voeckler back in the end but after that it wasn't too hectic as the race was strung out and the guys had put me in position at the front.

"I was freezing on the bike on the downhill at the end and was a bit unsure of how the legs would react in the sprint. At 500m to go I was not in perfect position but when I jumped my legs were good.

"It's great to show that yesterday wasn't just a one off. Tomorrow will be different though and I will focus on the sprint opportunities later in the week."

His Dutch coach Addy Engels was also delighted with the win for Mezgec and said: "Luka made it look easy but from experience the easier it looks, the harder it is," said coach Addy Engels at the finish in Girona. "The plan was to honour the jersey and ride for another bunch sprint, and thankfully we got some more help from other teams today.

"With six riders the break was manageable and the guys rode strong again to keep them in check. We had studied the finish before the stage and knew that you had to be well positioned before the roundabouts. The goal was to get Luka through the last one at the front and then see what support he had but with all the work the guys had done before he was a bit isolated.

"He kept his cool and went from a long way out, but flew past everyone. He knew from yesterday that he could get through the final 500m on his own if needed and he showed his power once again here today."