Ackermann win takes pressure off Bora-Hansgrohe after Sam Bennett omission
The German champion sprinted to victory on stage two of the Giro to quash any doubt over the decision to choose him over Bennett


The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to The Pick. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Bora-Hansgrohe came under fire for leaving Sam Bennett out of their 2019 Giro d'Italia roster after he won three stages in 2018, but Pascal Ackermann immediately eased that pressure with a win on stage two.
The German champion in his first Grand Tour won the first stage possible, beating established sprinters Elia Viviani (Deceuninck-Quick-Step) and Caleb Ewan (Lotto-Soudal).
>>> Five talking points from stage two of the Giro d’Italia 2019
"For sure you have the pressure but I was hoping or I was just thinking that I would not have pressure but I'm just happy that it's gone now and I have the stage win," Ackermann told Cycling Weekly.
Bennett could be sending the 25-year-old message of congratulations soon.
"We always send messages to each other and we have respect for each other," Ackermann said.
"I think it was a team decision that I come here and he did all the stage races before. I hope he finds a solution for the next years."
Bennett may look to switch teams in 2020 as his contract is coming to an end. He has been with the team since 2014 as it evolved from NetApp-Endura.
"We know and that also breaks my heart a bit to leave someone at home who was only want to beat Viviani last year and won three times but Pascal has one of the new riders of the new generation and we also to give him the possibility," sports director Jens Zemke said.
"We know that the Tour de France was with Peter and the second biggest one for the sprinters is the Giro d'Italia, and so that was a hard decision from the management but the sports directors work with the riders we have here and try to motivate them to make everything as perfect as possible."
Bennett this season has been able to win two stages in Paris-Nice, however may not race a Grand Tour at all in 2019. The Tour de France will also not be possible with the team planning on backing Peter Sagan.
The decision was seen as one where the team backed its home rider. Bora-Hansgrohe counts several international riders, but is a German team with its home office in Germany.
Zemke added: "Was there pressure for Pascal to win? Yes. But I think it was a positive pressure!"
Ackermann is hoping to match Bennett's haul of three wins in 2018.
"I'm hoping for three stage wins because I bet with my coach and the manager Ralph Denk," Ackermann added.
"It's my first Grand Tour and all the guys think I've already did some but this is still my first one. I have been able to win on my first chance and I'm just happy to do so.
"It's not bad because of the best sprinters are here but maybe Dylan Groenewegen so I'm just happy to win.
"You never know what happens but I was really strong in my head because I showed that I was in good shape in Eschborn-Frankfurt. Now just hope that I can continue like this and finish with my first Grand Tour with more wins."
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
-
'The hardest ride': Matt Downie beats Mark Beaumont's NC500 record by an hour
26-year-old completes 516 mile course in 27 hours 30 minutes dead to set new best time
By Adam Becket Published
-
5 Kickstarter products to help your commute
We take a look at some of the most backed products from the Kickstarter program and beyond
By Joe Baker Published
-
After a 'frustrating' 2022, Sam Bennett targets green at the Tour de France again
Irish Bora-Hansgrohe sprinter laments missed opportunities in 2022 due to injuries and illness, but will try again next year
By Adam Becket Published
-
‘Lesson one, never give up’: Ski mountaineer turned cyclist Anton Palzer on stepping out of his comfort zone
A film released by Red Bull depicts the German rider's journey from ski champion to professional rider
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Vuelta a España 2022: Sam Bennett makes it two in a row with win on stage three
Bora-Hansgrohe's Irish rider outsprints Mads Pedersen and Dan McLay in Breda, Edoardo Affini in red
By Adam Becket Published
-
'Every time I got into the last 300 meters I had nothing left in the tank' — Sam Bennett says he's now back on track ahead of Tour de France
Irishman will head back to race for the first time since winning green in 2020
By Adam Becket Published
-
'It still feels like a dream' — Jai Hindley reflects on historic Giro d'Italia victory
Jai Hindley reflects on a life-changing Giro win, what it means for his Bora-Hansgrohe team, and Australia as a whole
By Adam Becket Published
-
'An incredible feeling' — Jai Hindley becomes the first Australian to win the Giro d'Italia
Western Australian also wins Bora-Hansgrohe's first Grand Tour
By Adam Becket Published
-
De Jai vu? Hindley heads into Giro d’Italia finale seconds away from pink - just like in 2020
Bora-Hansgrohe's Australian is just three seconds from the lead
By Adam Becket Published
-
Jai Hindley wants to be the first Australian to win the Giro d'Italia: 'I'm not here to put socks on a centipede'
Bora-Hansgrohe rider sits second on general classification, just seven seconds behind Richard Carapaz
By Adam Becket Published