British climber Paul Double wasted no time in showing off his mountain skills by riding his way into the climbers’ jersey on stage 2 of the Sazka Tour. In what was only the new signing’s fourth day on Human Powered Health’s roster, double secured an impressive total of 18 points. 

“I’m super pleased to come here and get something from the race already,” Double said after the finish. “It was also great to ride for the guys yesterday, even if we came away disappointed due to the circumstances – making me feel like a real part of the team immediately,” he added.

The 26-year-old was part of a four-rider breakaway taking on the hilly route from Olomouc to Pustevny in the Czech Republic, and scored top points on the Kozlov and Pustevny climbs before cresting the third climb at Soláň in second place. 

“We had a climb after 10km where we expected the break to form,  so stayed attentive. I followed a move then forced it pulling through to ensure it was going to be the move of the day,” Double explained. 

With Intermarché – Wanty – Gobert Matériaux pulling at the head of the peloton for the eventual stage winner Lorenzo Rota, the gap began to tumble inside the final 70km and Double briefly lost touch with the leader Tim Van Dijke (Jumbo-Visma). 

The advantage was soon allowed to grow again in time for the penultimate climb of the day at Bumbálka, where Double placed second again. The GC teams then did reel the group back in before the final ramp to Pustevny. 

“From the start taking the mountain points made sense but at some moments we had hoped we might arrive at the finish.”

Today was only the beginning of the climbing at the Sazka Tour, stage 3 follows a similarly mountainous route where there will be four chances to collect KOM points on the road to the Dlouhé Stráně finishing climb. 

“For sure I’d like to work to take the jersey home,” Double said of his objectives. “After two tough days in the wind – unfamiliar to me – it’ll certainly be a hard task.”

Polka dots suit you sir 🔥@TheDoublePaul | #SazkaTour pic.twitter.com/k8jmDfJAtu

— Human Powered Health (@HumanPwrdHealth) August 5, 2022

Make sure to follow the team Twitter account for live updates on our athletes as well as the Sazka Tour live tracker. Sazka Tour KOM standings
1 DOUBLE Paul – Human Powered Health 18pts
2 MEENS Johan – Bingoal Pauwels Sauces WB 17
3 VAN DIJKE Tim – Jumbo-Visma Development Team 14
4 KASPAR Jan – ATT Investments 13
5 KÄRSTEN Moritz – Development Team DSM 11