Photo Credit: Cor Vos On the hunt for stage wins at the Tour de Suisse this week, Team DSM and Andreas Leknessund delivered on their promise of aggressive racing as Leknessund powered to a brilliant solo win from the breakaway. Faced with more hilly terrain on stage two, the team rode well at the start of the day to get Leknessund into the break of ten which would go on to fight for the win. Sensing a moment to push on as the pace slowed, Leknessund launched a stinging attack and broke clear from the rest of the break inside 18 kilometres remaining. Putting the power through the pedals, he continued to extend his advantage over the break and held the peloton at bay over the top of the climb, where the rest of the team rode towards teh front and discouraged the chase.. Hitting the apexes on the sinuous descent, Leknessund hit the valley road with his minute lead still intact. Not giving up and being encouraged by the car behind, he powered on all the way to the finish straight, before sitting up and raising his arms aloft in the final few metres; taking in the adulation from the crowds and celebrating his first WorldTour level win in his career. Click here for quotes and reaction from Leknessund and coaching staff. |