Tour de Kyushu. Ivan Smirnov is second in Stage Two
Tour de Kyushu. Ivan Smirnov is second in Stage Two
The second stage of the Tour de Kyushu in Japan concluded with a bunch sprint, where Astana Qazaqstan Team’s trainee Ivan Smirnov secured second place. Team leader Anthon Charmig, who remains third in the General Classification after the stage, finished fourth.
“In the final part of the stage, we managed to get a good position – we were sitting right behind the leading team, as planned. Anton Kuzmin provided significant support in the last kilometers, shielding me from the wind and bringing me forward at the right moment. This helped me start the sprint well. Of course, the corner right at the finish favored the French rider, but overall, I’m satisfied with the stage and the result. Tomorrow will be a very intense and demanding stage. I think there will be many attacks, but it seems likely it will end in a sprint. Nonetheless, our main task tomorrow is to help Anthon Charmig in his fight for the General Classification, while a good result in the stage will be a bonus”, – said Ivan Smirnov.
Photo credit: @SprintCycling
