Mission Accomplished: Rising Star AJ August Races in for First GC Victory of His Career

Andrew ‘AJ’ August sealed both his fifth victory this season plus the first general classification triumph of his career on Sunday, rounding out a spectacular campaign in the Czech Tour.

The 20-year-old American rider again tussled with closest challenger Alessandro Fancellu on an uphill finish, just as he had done Friday and Saturday. This time around Fancellu (MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort) hit the line first, prevailing despite pulling his foot out as he launched his sprint.

His win ahead of August saw him gain four seconds over him in time bonuses, but he still ended the race seven second back overall.

Domenico Pozzovivo (Solution Tech Nippo Rail) was third on GC, 40 seconds back. He is 43 years old, more than double the age of the overall winner.

August seized yellow when he took an uphill sprint win on Friday’s second stage. He won again Saturday and was poised for overall victory heading into Sunday’s final stage.

His Netcompany Ineos team set a strong pace for him on the final climb and he was in the perfect position as the sprint opened. Fancellu launched that gallop and August drew alongside him when he pulled his foot out.

However he then appeared to back off just as the Italian got going again. The Rochester, New York rider was passed by Nicolas Breuillard (TotalEnergies) but kicked closer to the line to overtake the Frenchman and to roll across the line second.

His win is the latest in what is a breakthrough season for the rider. He seized his first pro win in February on stage 3 of the Volta Comunitat Valenciana, then triumphed on the final leg of Itzulia Basque Country. His victory tally increased to five at the Czech Tour with those two stage wins plus the final overall classification.

At 20 he has plenty more improvement ahead, and is now really delivering on the promise which saw him become the youngest-ever rider to sign a WorldTour contract.

More to follow later..