Cycling: “Helper” Zimmerman runs on stage in Australia

George Zimmerman (right) was happy about his place on stage.
IMAGO/AAP

The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race is the second round-the-world race on the cycling calendar. Last year, Germany's talented Marius Mayrhofer celebrated his first professional victory in a one-day race in Australia. In 2024, a German professional cyclist will almost certainly be at the top of the winner's podium again.

The 174.30 km long race straight featured a 15-man lead group sprint that included Georg Zimmermann (Intermarche-Vandy). The 26-year-old from Augsburg actually started as assistant to Biniam Girmay, but his captain missed out on the first team.

So Zimmerman needs to clean up after himself. On the outside, Zimmerman tried to find his way in the last few meters, but it wasn't enough to get ahead. Winners Laurence Bithy (Groupama-FTJ) and Natalle Desfaye (Liddle-Trek) were even faster.

Jonasrutch crossed the finish line in ninth place with Zimmermann's team. Max Kanter came with the team later, and Simon Geschke, in his last year as a professional this year, left earlier.

Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race in Geelong/Australia, 174.30 km.

1. Lawrence Bithy (New Zealand) – Groupama-FDJ 4:17:40 hrs; 2. Natnael Tesfatsion (Eritrea) – Lidl-Trek + 0 sec.; 3. Georg Zimmermann (Neusäß) – Intermarché-Wanty; 4. Corbin Strong (New Zealand) – Israel-Premier Tech; 5. Jonathan Manuel Narvaez Prado (Ecuador) – Ineos Grenadiers; 6. Axel Mariault (France) – Cofitis; 7. Chris Hamilton (Australia) – Team DSM – Company; 8. Christian Scaroni (Italy) – Astana Kazakhstan team; 9. Jonasrutsch (Erbach (Odenwald)) – EF Education-EasyPost; 10. Louis Barre (France) – Arkéa – B&B Hotels; … 23. Max Kanter (Cotbus) – Astana Kazakhstan team + 24; Simon Geschke (Freiburg im Breisgau) – Cofitis dismissed