Double Victory for UAE Team Emirates as Modelo Wins Sprint in Switzerland and Polanc Takes National Time Trial Championship

Saturday, 10 June 2017, United Arab Emirates: UAE Team Emirates celebrated twin victories in Europe on Thursday as Jan Polanc won his National Time Trial Championship at the Ljubljana-Domzale-Ljubljana in Slovenia, while hot on his heels a few hours later, Italian Sacha Modolo won the sprint stage at the Grand Prix Canton d’Argovie - Gippingen in Switzerland. 

25-year old Polanc completed his time trial in 50 minutes 3 seconds ahead of Gregor Gazvoda (Champion System Pro Cycling Team) to cross the finish line as the new Slovenian Time Trial Champion. The victory was his third since turning professional

“My performance in today’s time trial was very good.  I succeeded in managing my energy in the best way possible and am very happy to have won my first National title as a professional cyclist,” said the Slovenian. 

“I performed really well in the two time trials at the Giro d’Italia, so I decided to take part in the National Time Trial Championship and give it a go,” continued Polanc. 

“Ultimately, when you are in good form and your legs feel good it’s easier to do well in disciplines outside your specialty. Moving forward my focus will be on the Tour of Slovenia.”

Meanwhile at the Grand Prix Canton d’Argovie - Gippingen in Switzerland, Sacha Modolo won the sprint stage to take, his third win of the season following double stage victories at the Tour of Croatia in April. Modolo beat John Degenkolb (Trek – Segafredo) and Niccolo Bonifazio (Bahrain Merida Pro Cycling Team) in a sprint finish at the end of the 188.7-kilometre stage. 

Commenting on his victory, 29 year old Modolo said: “It is hugely gratifying to win today because it comes at an important time for me. When I left the Giro d’Italia my morale was really low but I kept on training hard and today, on my first day of racing since the Giro, I succeeded in sprinting to victory.” 

The Italian continued: “The team did a terrific job in supporting me - Mohoric was in the main breakaway and this allowed us to pedal in a bunch, saving our energy ahead of the sprint. I decided to launch my sprint at 200 metres from the finish  - I wasn’t certain that I’d be able to make it to the finish line without being overtaken but I was pretty fast and I was able to win. I’m very happy and confident and looking forward to all the sprint stages at the Tour de Suisse.”

UAE Team Emirates are currently racing at the Critérium du Dauphiné which finishes on Monday and the Tour de Suisse which begins today and concludes on Monday, 19 June. The next Grand Tour will be the Tour de France which takes place from 1 - 23 July.