Published April 12, 2021 04:32AM
Rally Cycling on first win in 2021: 'We needed that'
US-registered team pumped by first victory in new-look season that includes broader ambitions across Europe.
KONYA, TURKEY - APRIL 11: Podium / Arvid De Kleijn of Netherlands and Team Rally Cycling Celebration, during the 56th Presidential Cycling Tour Of Turkey 2021, Stage 1 a 72,4km stage from Konya to Konya 1030m / Mask / Covid Safety Measures / Route modified due to snow on the original itinerary / #TUR2021 / @tourofturkeyTUR / on April 11, 2021 in Konya, Turkey. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Rally Cycling opened its 2021 account Sunday with Arvid de Kleijn in a photo-finish sprint victory at the Tour of Turkey to earn its first win of a new racing season.
“We needed that,” said Rally Cycling sport director Pat McCarty. “It’s been a tough season so far due to the pandemic. Everyone has been working really hard and it’s nice to finally have some reward.”
De Kleijn is one of the team’s top signings for 2021, and its first non-North American rider in the franchise’s history. The team is broadening its goals and widening its net when it comes to talent, and de Kleijn didn’t take long to pay back the team for its confidence.
Also read: Rally Cycling with big ambitions in 2021
The 27-year-old won in a photo finish ahead of Uno-X Pro Cycling’s Kristoffer Halvorsen. The victory sees de Kleijn take the lead in the overall and sprint classifications.
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“It was hard to stay in the apartment and see the other guys training and having fun,” said de Kleijn. “But from day one I focused on getting better. I’m a positive person and tried to focus on the controllable. I came into this race with an open mind.”
Also read: Rally Cycling nets victory in opening stage at Tour of Turkey
Monday’s stage 2 features a 145km route with a few early climbs to contend with before another expected sprint showdown.
“Looking forward, this is a great way to start the tour with a very well-rounded team,” McCarty said in a team release. “For most of the sprint days, we will see the other sprint teams continue to try and work together. We’re happy to carry the race for the leader’s jersey, but I don’t expect that we’ll have to do it all day.”