ProTeam Georg Zimmermann triumphs on home soil

The team’s intentions were clear from the start: animate the race and take control in key moments. Jonas Rutsch successfully made it into the early breakaway, setting the tone for the day. With great support from Orins and Fox, he managed to hold his position deep into the race, collecting points and keeping Lotto–Intermarché at the forefront of the action.

As the race developed and the group featuring Tim Wellens bridged across, the situation shifted advantageously. With major contenders now present at the front, the team could focus entirely on its own race. Although positioning briefly proved challenging at a crucial moment, the riders quickly regrouped and stayed composed heading into the decisive phase.

On the final climb, the race exploded. A select group went clear, featuring both Georg Zimmermann and Simone Gualdi. Despite the gap remaining tight, the move proved decisive. Zimmermann timed his effort, delivering a powerful finish to secure a memorable win, while Gualdi’s strong ride ensured a well-earned top-five result.

Earlier in the day, Rutsch’s determined effort in the breakaway was rewarded with the mountain classification, underlining the team’s aggressive approach and all-day presence at the front.

Sports Director Pieter Vanspeybrouck highlighted the collective strength of the squad: “As a team, we rode the perfect race today. It really was a day where everything just came together for us. With Georg taking the win, Simone finishing fifth and Jonas taking the mountain jersey, we can be really proud of the team today.”

For Zimmermann, the victory carried special meaning: “The boys did a fantastic job the whole race long, everyone did all they could, so I am very happy that I could finish their work off in style. I honestly can’t describe the emotions I felt today. We don’t race a lot in Germany so it feels very special to win in my home country.”

Photo: PhotoNews