Jon Knolle led the leading group for a long time

Yesterday he took second place behind Pascal Ackermann in the Tour of Austria opener. Today Jhonatan Narvaez from Ecuador celebrated his premiere victory in Austria! He also sprinted into the red-white-red leader’s jersey before the Congress in Innsbruck. Best man from Team Vorarlberg was again Lukas Rüegg in tenth place. Jon Knolle showed up in the second stage. The 23-year-old German was in the lead for a long time from St. Anton am Arlberg to Innsbruck and made for great TV pictures. Colin Stüssi (20th) and Lukas Meiler (23rd) completed the good team performance of Team Vorarlberg.

The second stage of the Tour of Austria/72nd Österreich Rundfahrt was started today in bright sunshine in the winter sports mecca of St. Anton am Arlberg (158.8 kilometers / 1,803 vertical meters). After the sprint classifications Zams and Zirl, a lap of about 20 kilometers was ridden over the mountain classification Axams. The 3.9-kilometer climb was also on the program at the 2018 UCI Cycling World Championships during the team time trial in Innsbruck/Tyrol.

The pace was enormously high from the start. Constant attacks, also launched by Team Vorarlberg, characterized the race. It took about 60 kilometers before seven riders were able to break away decisively. Their lead quickly grew to over two minutes. Finally, they were also caught up by the peloton.

Lukas Rüegg sprinted back into the top ten in Innsbruck in tenth place. He is now in tenth place in the overall standings, 19 seconds behind. Team Vorarlberg is the best Austrian Continental team in eighth place in the overall team classification.

Werner Salmen Sports Director: “Back in the top ten. It’s getting slow in the bunch sprints with Lukas Rüegg.”

Preview: Tomorrow awaits the 130 professionals with the queen stage from Silian over the Grossglockner High Alpine Road to St. Johann/Alpendorf (2947 meters/148.5 meters). Starting tomorrow, only the legs will count for the overall standings, just as Lukas Meiler and Colin Stüssi like it.

The tour can be followed permanently at www.tourofaustria.com. You can also follow the tour on the Facebook page of Team Vorarlberg.
Stage result: https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/tour-of-austria/2023/stage-2
Overall rating: https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/tour-of-austria/2023/stage-2/gc

Live on Servus TV On and K19, summaries on ORF
The Tour of Austria will be broadcast live on Servus TV ON and K19. In addition, there will be summaries of the daily stages on ORF 1 and ORF Sport Plus. Numerous stations will report on all stages via live ticker.
Stage overview:
Stage 1 2 July 2023, Dornbirn – Dornbirn 147.6 kilometres, 1762 metres altitude difference
Stage 2 3 July 2023, St. Anton – Innsbruck 158.8 kilometres, 1803 metres altitude difference
Stage 3 4 July 2023, Sillian – St. Johann/Alpendorf 148.5 kilometres, 2947 metres altitude difference
Stage 4 5 July 2023, St. Johann/Alpendorf – Steyr 197 kilometres, 2002 metres altitude difference
5th stage 6 July 2023, Ybbs – Sonntagberg, 155.8 kilometres, 2687 metres altitude difference

Team Vorarlberg line-up for the Tour of Austria:
Line-up: Colin Stüssi, Lukas Rüegg, Lukas Meiler, Moran Vermeulen, Pirmin Benz, Dominik Amann, Jon Knolle;

Press Service Team Vorarlberg
www.team-vorarlberg.at
office@proevent-cycling.at