Czech Triumph Kicks Off Peace Race Juniors in Litoměřice

Litoměřice, May 2, 2024 – The traditional Peace Race Juniors cycling stage race kicked off today in Litoměřice with the first stage. The 100.9 km long route, which led through the picturesque countryside of the Ústecký Region in the vicinity of Úštěk, brought together the best young cyclists from around the world.

The race took place in quite windy weather, which significantly affected the riders. Nevertheless, they managed to put on a thrilling spectacle full of exciting moments.

The winner of the first stage was Czech rider Pavel Šumpík (National Team Czech) with a time of 2:33:32, thus showing his ambitions for overall victory right from the start of the race. Second place went to Albert Philipsen (National Team Denmark) and third to Felix Orn Kristoff (National Team Norway). The entire group of six riders finished in the same time.

"I am incredibly happy with my victory in the first stage," said Pavel Šumpík after the race. "The decisive moment came on the climb to Mukařov, where a very strong group of six riders broke away. Attacking on Mukařov was our plan already before the stage. Our group worked together excellently until the very finish, I only broke away from them on the roundabout 500m before the finish."

The Peace Race Juniors will continue tomorrow with the second stage - an 8.8 km individual time trial, which will take place in Třebívlice. In the afternoon, the riders will face the stage from Roudnice nad Labem to Štětí and more than 61 km in more or less flat terrain.

The race is part of the UCI Men Junior Nations' Cup calendar and is considered one of the most important junior races in Europe.