Images from the mesmerising Athenian Riviera and the historic centre of Athens travelled around the world during the coverage of the fifth and final stage of the ΔΕΗ International Tour of Hellas 2024, which saw Bartosz Rudyk of ATT Investments crossing the finish line first and Austrian Riccardo Zoidl of Team Felt Felbermayr winning the Tour.
The grand finale of the race, right outside the Panathenaic Stadium, the venue where the games of the 1st Olympiad took place in 1896, was sensational and was the climax of a Tour that reached the highest organisational standards and provided an amazing spectacle.
In the final bunch sprint, a large group of riders vied for victory. Bartosz Rudyk’s strong legs helped him prevail in the final metres and defend the points jersey as well. The Pole narrowly edged Luca Colnaghi of VF Group - Bardiani CSF - Faizanè and Attilio Viviani of Team Corratec - Vini Fantini and celebrated his victory by raising his hands up in the air.
As expected, the cyan jersey remained to the jubilant Ricardo Zoidl, who proved his high calibre at the mountains of Evrytania, up to the 1,858 metres peak in Velouchi. By winning the queen stage and with the valuable cooperation of his teammates in Team Felt Felbermayr, the Austrian emerged as the winner of the ΔΕΗ International Tour of Hellas 2024.
Czech Tomas Pridal of Elkov – Kasper and Anton Schieffer of Bike Aid successfully defended the jerseys of the best young rider and the KoM respectively.
The race
As expected, the 132.54 km stage from the Acropolis to the Panathenaic Stadium began with multiple attacks.
The first intermediate sprint was won by the Dutchman Philip Heinen of Parkhotel Valkenburg and shortly after that the first breakaway group was formed by Tomasz Budzinski (Mazowsze Serce Polski), Tyler Hannay (Saint Piran), Alex Vandenbulcke (Tarteletto – Isorex), Nicolas Sessler (Victoria Sports Pro Cycling Team), and Red Walters (XSpeed United).
Those were the ones who fought for the points in the second intermediate sprint and the only categorised climb of the day just, before the start of the ten-lap circuit in the centre of Athens commenced.
Sessler won the second sprint and Vandenbulcke the KoM, meaning that the KoM jersey remained Anton Schiffer’s (Bike Aid) property and the points jersey would be decided in the final sprint.
In the 6.6-kilometre-long circuit, speeds exceeded 50 km/h. Spain's Abel Balderstone of Caja Rural - Seguros RGA joined the breakaway group, but it didn’t take long for the peloton to reach them. With two laps to go, a big leading group was formed until Mario Aparicio of Burgos – BH made an attack with one lap remaining.
In the final bunch sprint, a powerful Bartosz Rudyk overtook Luca Colnaghi, won the stage and at the same time kept the points shirt to his possession. The winner of the ΔΕΗ International Tour of Hellas 2024, though, was Riccardo Zoidl.
Quotes
Richardo Zoidl (Tour Winner): “I’m really happy with this win. it’s been a really long time since I won a general classification, I think it’s five years ago. it was really a perfect week. The third stage in the mountains suited me well but I surprised myself a little bit I was so good at that day.
“We were really smart the last two days, because the good teams were missing riders due to injuries. We managed quite good but the last stage was really beautiful the weather was nice, and you could really enjoy
“We had a really good season till now but we were missing a win and now we took three this week so I think the result makes us happy and let’s enjoy. We go to the beach now to get some rest”.
Bartosz Rudyk (Stage and Points jersey winner): “After yesterday the plan was to defend the points jersey of course but we were very well motivated to win the stage and we did it.
“The stage was kind of difficult, very fast, the roads were good something I liked. Our team was on the front all the time and carried me all the stage to bring me here. They did a really good job and dominated the course.
“For sure, I will remember the nice atmosphere, the people here on the finish line and on the start line at Acropolis and the beautiful landscapes of Greece”.
Anton Schieffer (KoM Jersey Winner): “Of course I’m super happy, today we had just one KoM so I had to look out if someone would challenge me to get some points. In the end, after the breaks it was an easy job for me to defend the jersey.
“Today was the only real hot day because the previous days were cloudy and colder, so we had to face the heat and keep fresh especially during the circuit but overall I like the stage.
All in all, it was a super nice race. I was in the second part of the breakaway and this queen stage was a real hard and unforgettable”.
Tomas Pridal (Young Rider Jersey Winner): «I’m super happy, is the best result of my career. I want to thank my team because they did an amazing job in all stages to help me and I pay them back with this jersey.
“The organisation was amazing! The roads are safe and big enough to avoid crashes. The landscapes are amazing and overall we have a happy time».
