Hirt’s formation Intermarché Wanty Gobert Matériaux arrived in the Czech Republic in a strong line-up, with Domenico Pozzovivo from Italy and Rein Taaramäe from Estonia riding in addition to the overall sixth man of this year’s Giro. Pozzovivo was eighth overall at the Giro this year, Taaramäe managed to win stages at both the Giro and the Vuelta during his career. Another interesting name on the start list is Australia’s Cameron Meyer, a nine-time world champion in track cycling who now races for Team BikeExchange – Jayco.
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“I think we have a lot to look forward to. Great cyclists from the World Tour and Honza Hirt are at the start, it will be a race from start to finish,” is convinced race director Leopold König, a former elite cyclist who won the Sazka Tour twice in the past. “Of course, we would be very happy if Honza spoke to the overall standings,” added König.
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Hirt has appeared on the Sazka Tour a total of eight times. This year, he especially shone with victory in the royal stage of the Italian Giro. At the beginning of the season, he also won the Tour of Oman overall.
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In addition to the World Tour Team BikeExchange – Jayco, BORA – hansgrohe and Intermarché Wanty Gobert Matériaux stables, the starting list also includes the best Czech team Elkov – Kasper, whose colors will feature Jan Bárta, Michael Kukrle and Jakub Otruba.
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Also starting is the young Czech talent Pavel Bittner (Development Team DSM), who rode one stage in yellow at the Závod Míru in Jeseníky in June. “For us from the team, it’s a great chance to prove ourselves, get a great result, and with regard to the competition, it’s also a great experience for the future,” the nineteen-year-old told Práv.
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For him, this is an extraordinary race, as he was raised in Olomouc and lived in nearby Hlušovice. “As a child, I went to watch such races. It’s an honor for me to be able to start here and I hope to perform here,” added Bittner.
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The first, today’s stage, leads from Uničov to Prostějov, the second starts in Olomouc and ends in Pustevny, in the third part cyclists will ride from Moravská Třebová to Dlouhá stráná, the finale follows the path from Šumperk to Šternberk.
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