Phew. A very large load fell away from me today. At last! The first win this year. A journalist told me today that it had been eight months since the last time I won. So it was about time. And of course, I am mega-happy. This win was important for me and for the team. After the first races, in which we had to first work together, we stayed calm and now have been rewarded. Thanks to the guys, who did fantastic work today. Rick put in a super long leadout. Really strong. I was in the wind about 300 meters before the finish, then delayed shortly to win a few more meters so I wouldn’t explode just before the finish line, and then went all out. I had really missed that feeling of being the first to ride over the line.

It was a day of "firsts" for me. My first win this season. My first win in the new jersey. My first win at Tirreno. And my first pro win in Italy. So I guess I have now lost my rookie status here, at long last ;-)

Photos: roth-foto.de