Echelons in Hungary: Barbier and Einhorn Close to Victory in Stage 2
The second stage of the race in Hungary proved to be a challenging battle as the stronger teams in the race broke the peloton into multiple groups. The Hungarian Puszta provided an ideal scenario for Israel – Premier Tech, with their GC-contenders and sprinters in the first peloton.
Despite a late merge of the echelons, sprinters Rudy Barbier and Itamar Einhorn showcased their strength and determination. In a final kilometer marked by a massive crash, the Israeli team stood strong, allowing Barbier to secure a second-place finish and Einhorn to claim fourth.
Israeli sports director Dror Pekatch praised the team’s performance, stating, “I saw an excellent lead-out after a strong performance by the whole team. This was a good day for us.”
In addition to their sprint success, Krists Neilands took valuable seconds in the third intermediate sprint, setting him up for a strong position in the overall rankings. With Barbier now wearing the green jersey, the team is also eyeing the points classification in Hungary.
Looking ahead to stage 3, another bunch sprint is expected, providing Barbier and Einhorn with two more opportunities to achieve their goals. The race in Hungary will only deviate from the sprinters’ domain in stage 5, which features a challenging mountaintop finish.
