AJ August and Tobias Foss sprinted to ninth and 11th position respectively on the opening day of the Tour de Suisse.
The Netcompany INEOS duo worked their way into a chasing group of contenders on a stage which saw the general classification evolve massively.
The race sparked into life with over 70 kilometres remaining as Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates – XRG) pushed on following the intermediate sprint, and quickly opened out an advantage on the Triangia climb.
The peloton behind would eventually regroup, with August and Foss part of the select group, which saw a number of attacks on the run-in.
Pogacar eventually won the stage by a margin of 2:14 over Richard Carapaz (EF Education – Easypost), while August and Foss crossed the line in a group 4:30 back on the new race leader.
An attacking performance from Mattie Dodd saw the INEOS Grenadiers Racing Academy rider move into the Maglia Azzurra at the Giro d’Italia Next Gen.
The Brit pushed clear with 60 kilometres to go on stage four, and was joined in a three-man move at the head of the race. Despite the peloton closing in, Dodd pushed on again solo on the run into Corato, banking key mountains points and pulling on the blue jersey at the end of the stage.
The race would eventually come back together for a sprint finish, with Milkias Maekele leading the team home in 18th place. Dodd and Max Hinds sit just 13 seconds off the overall lead at the race’s half way point.