After 142.1 kilometres from Poreč to Funtana, the 20-year-old sprinted to fourth place.
A leading group of eight riders had formed early on around the eventual winner Erik Fetter (United Shipping), but without a rider from Team REMBE® rad-net. Halfway through the race, Fetter broke away with Samuele Privitera (Hagens Berman-Jayco). The two breakaway riders finished 19 seconds ahead and took first and second place. For the peloton, the final sprint was for third place. In the photo finish, Rottmann had to admit defeat to Dusan Rajovic (Solution Tech-Vini Fantini) and finished fourth.
A 1.5 kilometre prologue had already taken place yesterday at the Croatian stage race, but the REMBE® rad-net riders were unable to achieve a top position there. The riders have to complete a total of four stages. Tomorrow's programme includes the queen stage with its mountain finish in Motovun. The tour ends on Sunday in Umag.
"That was a good start and we are in a good position. I hope that we can put ourselves in the limelight again on the next two stages, especially tomorrow," said Ralf Grabsch, Sporting Director of the REMBE® rad-net team. He is counting on Johannes Adamietz and Miguel Heidemann in particular. "The team worked well together, always rode compactly and the young riders are already well integrated into the team. That's encouraging for the next stages."
The REMBE® rad-net team line-up at the Istrian Spring Trophy:
Johannes Adamietz, Pepe Albrecht, Leon Arenz, Miguel Heidemann, Jonathan Rottmann, Jermaine Zemke
Sports management: Ralf Grabsch
A 1.5 kilometre prologue had already taken place yesterday at the Croatian stage race, but the REMBE® rad-net riders were unable to achieve a top position there. The riders have to complete a total of four stages. Tomorrow's programme includes the queen stage with its mountain finish in Motovun. The tour ends on Sunday in Umag.
"That was a good start and we are in a good position. I hope that we can put ourselves in the limelight again on the next two stages, especially tomorrow," said Ralf Grabsch, Sporting Director of the REMBE® rad-net team. He is counting on Johannes Adamietz and Miguel Heidemann in particular. "The team worked well together, always rode compactly and the young riders are already well integrated into the team. That's encouraging for the next stages."
The REMBE® rad-net team line-up at the Istrian Spring Trophy:
Johannes Adamietz, Pepe Albrecht, Leon Arenz, Miguel Heidemann, Jonathan Rottmann, Jermaine Zemke
Sports management: Ralf Grabsch
Source: Picture Mario Stiehl
