Gert Joeäär won the SEB 32nd Tartu Rattaralli
Today, on the 2nd of June, SEB 32nd Tartu Rattaralli won pro cyclist Gert Jõeäär (Cofidis) with time 3:07:37. For Jõeäär, the weekend was very successful – Jõeäär is both, the UCI 2.1 category Tour of Estonia 2013 and SEB Tartu Rattaralli best rider.
The second to cross the finish line was Branislay Samoliau (National Team Belarus) with a time 3:07:38. The third was Mihkel Räim (Amore & Vita) with a time 3:07:44. The best woman was Grete Treier with a time 3:11:54 (overall 41st place).
Gert Jõeäär: “I’m very happy and pleased with the result! At the beginning of the ride, I wasn’t sure if I win. It was really hard in the beginning – there were several attacks in the groups. Finally, before Otepää I managed to catch the leader group and then I had some victory thoughts.” To the question, was it a perfect weekend for Gert, he said: “Indeed, one might say – today was my day!”
Second place owner Branislau Samoliau: “I always go for the victory, but this time I came second. Gert was faster in the finish.” Samoliau summarizes the competition saying that he is pleased with the result and the teamwork was great.
Third place Mihkel Räim: “Yesterday, I didn’t have my “sprinter’s leg”, so today I gave my best. After the Tatra valley, there was a strong side wind, Gert breaked away, two men got away. I had to catch them. I’m really pleased with today!”
The best woman, Grete Treier recognizes his team for the victory: “Thanks to the team, I won. I’m not in that good shape yet, to be overhead from the other girls. The competition was mentally really difficult, but the team came to the rescue and the competition spirit came back. I went to the start uncertain; I’m very pleased with the victory!”
The race director Indrek Kelk summarizes the race with good words: “Today has passed quite well so far. The weather is hot but all the service points were ready to serve the crowd.” About the future of SEB Tartu Rattaralli, Kelk says that as there are a lot of participants, the organization part should be thought through next year – to increase the secure feeling of the riders. Kelk didn’t bring out specific methods, but he said that due to the crowd, some changes are inevitable.
SEB 32nd Tartu Rattaralli 135 km preliminary results: http://tartumaraton.ee/maraton/rr135.html
SEB 32nd Tartu Rattaralli 65 km preliminary results: http://tartumaraton.ee/maraton/rr65.html
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