Anders Foldager continued Team Jayco AlUla’s perfect streak at the 2024 Okolo Slovenska, taking an impressive first professional win and the leader’s jersey on stage two.
After the squad powered to victory in the opening team time trial on Wednesday evening, Foldager topped the competition on the uphill finale in Hlohovec.
The win sees him take over the race leader’s yellow jersey from his teammate Max Walscheid, who set Foldager up perfectly going into the final climb. Mauro Schmid and Callum Scotson sit just behind Foldager in the overall classification, locking out the three top spots in the GC.
Stage two featured a rolling parcours with five classified climbs between Nitra and Hlohovec. Three riders formed the breakaway early on while the pre-stage favourites, including the Australian squad, bided their time in the bunch.
After a big pull from the peloton, the race came together with just under 10 kilometres to go. Team Jayco AlUla were ever-present at the front of the race and Walscheid helped Foldager into the perfect place as the bunch exploded on the rise to the finish.
The 22-year-old from Denmark played his cards perfectly, catching and passing several struggling riders who had made their move too early. He crossed the line with a clear gap over the rest and both hands in the air in celebration.
Anders Foldager:
“It’s unbelievable to be on top of the podium today after a really hard start to the year! Today was a warm and long day, and the guys did a fantastic job out there! Two stages and two wins is amazing, so the atmosphere in Slovakia can’t be much better for us I think!”
2024 Okolo Slovenska stage 2 results:
1. Anders Foldager (Team Jayco AlUla) 04:32:47
2. Jenno Berckmoes (Lotto Dstny) +01
3. Lukas Kubis (Elkov-Kasper) st
2024 Okolo Slovenska GC after stage 2:
1. Anders Foldager (Team Jayco AlUla) 05:04:20
2. Mauro Schmid (Team Jayco AlUla) +16
3. Callum Scotson (Team Jayco AlUla) +23
Photos: Sprint Cycling
