Ireland's Matt Teggart on the Tour de l'Avenir podium. With him is U23 world road race champion Kristoffer Halvorsen (in green). Also there is European U23 TT champion Kasper Asgreen in yellow. On the far right is Dutch national champion Fabio Jakobsen who has just signed for QuickStep (Photo: Cassandra Donne)
Irish team determined to impact Tour de l'Avenir
[wpbrad id=127]
Leading the climbers’ classification after two stages at the Tour de l’Avenir, Matt Teggart says the Irish team is determined to make a further impact on the race.
With road men’s stages to come before the race hits the big mountains on the final three days, the Irish team have the wind at their backs.
An Post-Chainreaction man Teggart said the team was enjoying being in the biggest U23 stage race in the world. But they were not overawed.
Advertisement
“To get to the start line in an Irish jersey at this race is special,” he said of Tour de l’Avenir.
“It’s such a prestigious race with an amazing history and recognition in cycling.
“And to be on the podium as I was today; sharing it with the world road race and European TT champions was a special moment. It’s one I'll never forget.”
Related News
Over the past 10 years the young guns who have won the Tour de l’Avenir jersey Teggart now holds include Dario Cataldo, Nairo Quintana and Warren Barguil.
“It's going to be a hard task to hold onto the jersey the next few day,” said Teggart. “But we’ll give it our all.
“And we’ll be searching for more stages with the lads. We can all make a massive impact on the race. Especially in the next few days before we hit the high mountains.
“All of the team are on a high after these first two stages. So we’ll try to keep the ball rolling.”
Asked about the competition in such a major global event as Tour de l’Avenir he said the standard was “as high as it gets”.
“You have the very best in the world here; so many guys already with WorldTour contracts signed.
“So it's nice to know we can mix it with these guys and cause them some hurt.”
Topics
