The second stage of the Tour of Rhodes on March 14 took the peloton 158.6 km from Rhodes to Kalithies. With an average speed of 41.37 km/h, the riders faced high winds along the coast and technical road conditions due to recent rains. A breakaway established a four minute lead, but the bunch neutralized the move shortly after the final climb. Despite Team United Shipping losing Zétény Szijártó to injury and several riders battling a virus, the team executed a clinical lead-out for the 5.8% uphill finish. Nikiforos Arvanitou secured the win for TUS, followed by Lorenzo Conforti (Bardiani CSF 7 Saber) and Cameron Rogers (INEOS Grenadiers Racing Academy).
Niki’s assessment of the Greek success
After yesterday’s crash in the final 3 km, I knew today I had to win because the course suited me perfectly.
I was feeling good, and when the bunch started to go fast on the climbs, I was able to follow every move. In the last twenty kilometers, I already felt that I would win today.
In the closing kilometers, the team did a great job positioning me. A HUGE CHAPEAUX to Michal, who did an amazing lead-out. He was in front of me until 150m to go: then, I opened my sprint and won the race.
After the virus, I finally felt really good today. Maybe I am still not at 100%, but thanks to our nutritionist, Eszter, I was eating properly, which fixed my stomach, so I had the energy to give it my all.
Michal’s view from the lead-out train
Today was much easier than yesterday, and I felt much better, so I wanted to help Niki as much as possible. This type of finish suits me well: I was in a good position with Niki on my wheel. At 500m to go, a gap opened up, and I could go full gas with Niki. I was a bit surprised by how strong I felt: I pushed until 150m to go, and then Niki finished it all perfectly. I’m really happy, that was definitely the best lead-out in my career, and I am glad to have a teammate who can finish the job.
On Wednesday, I was ready to die: I felt terrible with a 38.7°C fever. I shouldn’t have started the next morning, but by then, two of my other teammates were sick as well, so I thought, “Let’s at least try, maybe my condition will improve.” So, today is extra special because I finally feel better, and I was even able to help Niki to another win.
It’s definitely not great that most of our guys are sick or have been sick, but a lot of other teams are having the same problem. We had bad luck with the crash yesterday and lost another guy. Today was just about survival: stay at the front, don’t push too hard because we don’t have the numbers. But I believed Niki could win, and I told him before the start that I would put him in the perfect position and the last 150m would be on him. It’s crazy that it went exactly as I said! 😀
The original plan for tomorrow was to go for the GC with Tomas, but now we have to recalculate. He almost didn’t make it today: he has stomach problems and really isn’t feeling good. Let’s hope for a good night’s sleep, and hopefully, he can do his best tomorrow. If not, I could try getting into the breakaway and, with some luck, get a solid result. Or maybe, after today, Niki will have wings again, fly over the hills, and win.
Istrian Spring Trophy Stage 2: Novigrad › Motovun
The second stage of the Istrian Spring Trophy took the peloton on a 130 kilometer journey from Novigrad to a challenging uphill finish in Motovun on March 14, 2026. Despite the sunny and dry conditions, the race was defined by heavy winds that forced constant activity within the pack. The riders maintained an average speed of 41 km/h over a terrain featuring four KOM sprints, with the Oprtalj climb serving as the technical turning point that fractured the field. Matisse Van Kerckhove (Team Visma | Lease a Bike Development) secured the victory with a late solo move. For Team United Shipping, Erik Fetter and Máté Endrédi were the top performers, finishing 41st and 42nd respectively, just over a minute behind the winner.
Máté’s take on the mountain points:
I had a pretty good day, but I couldn’t take the first KOM because the breakaway went away without us. I went for the second one because we had caught the front by then, and I managed to win the sprint from the peloton against a Lidl-Trek guy. Unfortunately, it was only a third category climb, so I’m not doing too well in the point standings, but I’m still satisfied.
The key climb before the Motovun finish was Oprtalj, which decided who would be in front today. There was a huge selection, but luckily I started the mountain from a good position, so I could stay in the first group, although it hurt a lot. Erik dropped back a bit, but fortunately, he was able to catch up with the second group on the flat. After that, we discussed that we would go as hard as we could on Motovun. I followed Erik’s wheel, but I dropped off it a bit, and from there I went at my own pace to the finish. There were mistakes today, but overall I’m satisfied: I feel like I’m in my best form ever, and my legs are very good. There is still work to be done on the tactical parts, but Erik helps a lot in this and tries to teach me too.
I don’t think of myself as a serious climber yet, but obviously, that’s my goal in the long term. Now I’m putting in the work and helping my stronger teammates as long as I can. My time hasn’t arrived yet, I still have a lot to learn for that. We wanted more today, it would have been good if a few more of us stayed in front after the long climb, and if Erik arrived in a slightly better position, but we can’t complain. It was a good day, the atmosphere remains excellent, and we are already looking forward to tomorrow’s stage.
Erik’s thoughts on the crosswinds:
Máté and I were in the first group in the final. I haven’t felt the fittest in the last few days, but despite this, I tried to be active for a nice result. There was quite a strong wind, often blowing from the side, so you had to pay close attention. In the middle of the race, I was in a crosswind attack where about twelve of us stayed in front, and the breakaway looked quite promising. Only Red Bull missed it, so eventually they caught us before the toughest climb of the day.
After that, Máté won a mountain sprint, so he was able to increase his mountain points today as well. Last year, we had to defend the yellow jersey on the Motovun day, then everyone was attacking us, so that was a very tough day for the whole team. This year it turned out completely differently, but due to the high wind, we still had to remain active throughout.
Tomorrow the finish will be in Umag again, where I managed to finish on the podium in the first race. I will try to repeat this, or even improve on it.
Photos: Nassos Triantafyllou / https://www.cyclingphotos.gr/; Márton Sitku / https://www.instagram.com/marchives.raw/
