Victory and overall lead for Filippo Fortin on the second stage of the Istria Spring Trophy – mass crash overshadows arrival in Porec!

 

Today’s second stage over 168 kilometers from Funtana to Porec showed how closely joy and sorrow are often connected. Team Vorarlberg sprinter Filippo Fortin (ITA) won the sprint in impressive style. He not only wins the stage, but is also the new leader of the 18th Istria Spring Trophy UCI 2.2!

 

Fortin after his victory: “I really wanted this victory. It was my chance as I was top set and I was able to take it. I am super happy to have taken the victory for Team Vorarlberg and me today!”

 

Stüssi, Thalmann and Guerin have to go down hard in mass crash!

In rainy weather and slippery roads, there is a momentous crash of 30 – 40 riders at very high speed two kilometers before the finish. Team Vorarlberg was perfect positioned around the 20th to 30th position when many riders went down in the immediate vicinity.

 

Florent Horeau (sporting director): “It was the worst crash I have ever witnessed. Riders screaming everywhere, it looked like a battlefield. Unfortunately Alexis Guerin, Roland Thalmann and Colin Stüssi were also in the middle of it. All of them complain about pain, with Colin Stüssi being the most severely affected. However, it seems that they have not suffered any broken bones. The race doctor will do further examinations. Then it can be decided who will be able to start again tomorrow!” 

Good luck Guys!

 

Team Vorarlberg hopes that the fallen riders of the other teams didn’t get it too bad either – all the best to them!

 

Stage overview:

11.03. Prolog Umag – 1 km

12.03. Funtana – Porec – 168 km

13.03. Vizinada – Motovun – 165 km

14.03. Marcana – Umag – 143 km

 

Result: https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/istarsko-proljece-istrian-spring-trophy/2021/stage-2 

 

Squad 18th Istrian Spring Trophy UCI 2.2: Alexis Guerin, Johannes Schinnagel, Roland Thalmann, Colin Stüssi, Filippo Fortin, Adria Moreno;