TEAM DSM-FIRMENICH POSTNL POWER TO 19TH WIN WITH VUELTA SPRINT SUCCESS WITH PAVEL BITTNER

Team dsm-firmenich PostNL continued their brilliant August this afternoon, powering to a sensational sprint win in Sevilla with Pavel Bittner at the Vuelta a España; their Men’s program’s 19th win of the season so far.

Full of confidence after good showings and teamwork in the previous sprint opportunities where fast finisher Bittner claimed sixth and fifth, Team dsm-firmenich PostNL were motivated to go all-in for the sprint once again. A relatively controlled stage followed with a two rider break allowed to escape from the roll-out without any big fight, before the sprint teams took over in reeling them back in throughout the afternoon. Coming into Sevilla the action was as hot as the temperature, but Team dsm-firmenich PostNL kept their cool, bringing Bittner into a great position in the final kilometre. Opening up a savagely strong sprint effort, Bittner kicked hard and held on to take an epic and well-deserved victory; and his first ever Grand Tour stage success. The win with Bittner also marks a special occasion for Team dsm-firmenich PostNL, who have now taken 15 wins with riders promoted from their Development program in the 2024 campaign alone.

Pavel Bittner said: “It’s really unbelievable to be able to do this for the team. Coming into the final we stayed really calm with the guys and they did an amazing job, everyone left everything out there. I really saved my energy for the final and the guys dropped me on Wout’s wheel at the perfect moment. I just thought I would go full and give everything until the line and see what happened. It was a photo finish, it’s unbelievable. I believed in it but to do it is just crazy.”

Team dsm-firmenich PostNL coach Phil West said: “We wanted to sprint with Pavel today. After the first two opportunities we wanted to put everything together and give him the best chance possible. The guys did a tremendous job of staying calm and finding each other in what was quite a tricky final 30 kilometres. In the end we were there to put him in a place where he could really do a sprint. It’s a fantastic finish for him and the team. With what we were able to do today, we can all be really happy and proud of this win.”