BAHRAIN MERIDA duo finished Top 20 at TDU stage 5

Manama, Jan. 21 (BNA): It was crucial day for climbersat battle on Willunga Hill, Giovanni Visconti and Ondrej Cink finished at 17 and 18 place, which is an impressive performance at the beginning of the season 2017 for BAHRAIN MERIDA in our first WorldTour race. "I tried to do the race a little bit harder, because I know if I arrive in the final with the big group, I cannot compete now. So I tried to my legs condition. I'm happy. I worked very well. I'm not ready to win now, for sure, but I'm near for the first stand, it makes me happy," said Visconti after the race. Continue the day before, it is another strong performance for the 26-year-old Czech Republic ex MTB rider:"I tried to be always in the front, and thank you for our team because everybody pushed before the first climb, and me and Visco we were in the front. Visco tried with the break, I controlled behind BMC, then I was all the time in the front. But the last climb was very hard. We started around 30 or 25. We passed some riders, I keep the tempo for Visconti all climb. I was happy for my performance in the end." We are ready to conclude our first ever WorldTour race in Adelaide CBD with a brisk 90km circuit race. With 20 bonus seconds available for the intermediate sprints, there could be the last chance to shake our ochre jersey. In front of the crowds warmly welcome, the first champion of 2017 Tour Down Under is on his way.