Tour de la Provence (st. 1)

German rouleur from Movistar Team just 15" off first leader Ganna (SKY) in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, following one of his best recent time trial performances.

A good launchpad for a 2019 season really important for his career. Jasha Sütterlin (Movistar Team) took a fine 4th place at Thursday’s opening individual time trial of the 2019 Tour de la Provence, a completely flat course of nearly 9km in and around Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, where world track champion Filippo Ganna (SKY) took the day’s victory.

#TourDeLaProvence Gran esfuerzo de @JashaStterlin: el alemán firma una buena contrarreloj en Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer y se sitúa 4º provisional, a 15" del nuevo líder Filippo Ganna (SKY), con solo tres corredores por llegar a meta. pic.twitter.com/FNDV8IJpmy

— Movistar Team (@Movistar_Team) February 14, 2019

The 10’20” posted by the vice German TT champion was only 15″ slower than the top, Jasha leading a decent Blue performance with four other riders within 50″ of the lead: Lluís Mas (20th), Imanol Erviti, Daniele Bennati and Jaime Castrillo.

The squad directed by José Luis Jaimerena will seek for more favourable terrain from Friday’s lumpy stage two, full of steep ascents and dangerous descents, towards La Ciotat (195km).