Racing
Cort wins inaugural stage of Gran Camiño
Dane outkicks the field in reduced bunch sprint
February 24, 2022
The inaugural edition of Gran Camiño got underway today and Magnus Cort won the stage in a fast and furious sprint, forever stamping his name in the history books.
"It couldn’t be any better for me and the team,” Cort said at the finish. “It’s a very nice area to race in. We’ve been here before. There are some beautiful roads, and for me some nice hills, not too steep, so I can get over.”
The route was ideal for the Danish rider. He’s proven time and again that his power is well suited to middle mountain stages and that he still has an explosive finishing kick.
It's a great way to start the season. And this victory put a smile on Padun’s face which is the most important part of the day.
Always one to recognize the hard work of his teammates, Cort wasted no time in thanking them.
“The team really did a big job in supporting me. They believed in me. Since before the start, the plan was to go for me and everybody did their job. It was so nice to get so much support. Every single one of my teammates was working for me today, and that is quite special.”
Three stages remain in Gran Camiño: two mountain stages before a time trial on the final day. Cort will go into tomorrow wearing the leader’s jersey. With its steep finish on the Mirador do Ézaro, tomorrow looks to be a day for the pure climbers. Nonetheless, Cort will spare no effort.
Sport director Juanma Garate reflected on the events of day, calling to mind the big picture. "It’s a really nice victory. It’s the first race for Eiking and Padun on our team and for many of our riders, it’s their first race of the season. It's a great way to start the season. And this victory put a smile on Padun’s face which is the most important part of the day."