Welcome to the one of the most prestige races in Africa, La Tropicale Amissa Bongo, seven-stage race over Western Africa. Last seven years Frenchman won this race, two times Anthony Charteau, and once Frédéric Guesdon, Lilian Jégou, Matthieu Ladagnous and Yohann Gène. With favorites Clarke and Santaromita from Orica, Devenyns from Giant-Shimano, Navardauskas and Haas from Garmin, David Lopez and Ian Boswell from Team Sky, this is going to be very interesting week.
David Lopez
Nathan Haas
Simon Clarke
For MTN-Qhubeka racing on a home continent is something special. They want to show why they are hoping for Pro Tour license for next year. Because of that they have high hopes. Daniel Teklehaimanot, as a leader of MTN-Qhubeka, is aiming for stage victories and top ten position in general classification. Definitely this is going to be an interesting race.
Daniel Teklehaimanot
Stages
With many small hills, this year's edition of La Tropicale Amissa Bongo race is going to be very interesting. First, third and last stages might be decisive, but favorites must be very careful on every stage and every climb. You never know when someone could attack and make a solo run.
Even though it is a first stage, it is one of most important ones on this year's edition of this race. With many hills and profile which goes up and down whole day it will make big gaps among riders which will define roles and possibilities for the rest of the race.
Gebremariam attacks. Small breakaway of only five members passed first intermediate sprint in next order Goessinen (DPC), Gebremariam (MTN) and Jerome (EUC).
With 130km to go breakaway is caught. Immediately after that attack by Kudus Gebremedhin (MTN).
He takes first 4th category climb in front of Baz and Goessinen. They are continuing towards Gebremedhin.
2nd intermediate sprint takes Goessinen ahead Baz and Gebremedhin.
With 75km to go escapees have 5’33’’ lead against peloton. Gebremedhin takes second summit sprint and a dot jersey. He also takes third intermediate sprint.
Garmin-Sharp is setting a high pace to catch the escapees.
20km three Sky riders with Agnoli managed to break the peloton. Daniel is trying to catch and join them.
10km to go Gebremedhin is in the lead with 55’’, five riders are chasing him Agnoli (AST), Boswell, David Lopez, Earle (SKY) and Teklehaimanot (MTN).
Daniel is attacking and going for all or nothing.
Agnoli is pacing to catch Teklehaimanot.
He passes Daniel and goes for a victory.
Agnoli wins ahead of David Lopez and Teklehaimanot who have same time. Next few stages will be interesting because of no gap between them.
Great sixth is Kudus Gebremedhin claiming dot jersey.
This is the last obstacle for Ciolek to take first overall victory in 2014. Another flat route for pure sprinters, but three last stages went to escapees, so it is quite possible that this one will go too.
Until 75km from the finish it was pretty messy with bunch attacks and high pace from the peloton. But MTN managed to control the gaps.
At 52km from the finishing line the breakaway was formed Cheung (HKG), Moazzemi (IAU), Vichot (FDJ) and Nonaka (SMN), not containing rider who could jeopardize Ciolek’s general classification aspirations. Movistar and Giant-Shimano are controlling the gap.
9.3km to go and the breakaway is caught, and MTN forming shorten sprint train Stauff-Sbaragli-Ciolek.
Daniele Ratto first opened up sprint, but Ciolek and Roulston are following it easily.
Finally, Roulston came to his first victory in the season.
Ciolek wins his first GC race in 2014 on Tour of Taihu Lake. He also take Points Classification, not to forget. Well done Gerald, well done. Amazing race for him.
This is a great day for Ciolek and whole MTN-Qhubeka squad in China. First big victory this season and it is time to celebrate. After the conference for media and doping controls, which are compulsory part of every race and for the winner, Ciolek was free to go. It was late afternoon and whole squad decided to go to some local restaurant. Until today, they did not have time for trying some local specialties.
First we all ordered a soup. I don’t know what I ordered neither if waiter brought me what I ordered. It was soup of croaker, something like large yellow croaker soup. Taste was in accordance with its name. It was absolutely awful. I can still feel that weird taste in my mouth from some spices. I’ll probably never forget eating that yellow thing.
After now such successful soup, for the main dish most of us ordered bā bǎo là jiàng, which means chili sauce with shelled shrimps, beans, chicken, chicken guts, pork, pig tripe, pig kidney, dried small shrimps and bamboo shoots. It seemed most non-invasive for our taste.
Also I had to order qīng chǎo shàn hú, which is stir-fried eels with bamboo shoots. It was also nice and tasteful. Overall, evening was absolute success. We were all joking and laughing. After meal we all had to go to the hotel to pack ourselves because our flight for Qatar was scheduled for the next day. So there was no time for partying.
With 26 degrees it is a perfect weather. Some small hills on this route are perfect for punchers and they should feel happy. We will see if punchers could claim this stage. Daniel Teklehaimanot is on third position in general classification. Merhawi Kudus Gebmreedhin is positioned on great sixth place which will have to defend against Nathan Haas, Simon Clarke, Alberto Losada and others.
Attack by Van Niekerk with Flakemore and Pozzo. Flakemore takes the first category climb ahead Pozzo and Van Niekerk. Flakemore takes and second one.
Third one claims Van Niekerk ahead Flakemore.
With 6.5km to the finish line MTN-Qhubeka is taking the charge of the peloton on the last hill. Daniel is attacking on last hill and trying to take a solo win.
FDJ is setting a high pace to catch Daniel. They managed to catch him and Murillo Fischer grabs deserve victory. Brilliant performance from FDJ. Whole podium for them.
With fourth place Teklehaimont becomes a leader of Points Classification. Well done.
With the finish on a small ascend, any attack can make a difference in general classification. So this stage could be one of the most crucial for overall victory. It is designed for all-round riders, and they are ready for fight.
From the start the breakaway of four riders has been formed, Brown (GRM), Kohler (BMC), Delage (FDJ) and Cooper (HGP) which is caught before the first climb.
First intermediate sprint takes Brown ahead of Delage and Kohler.
At the first climb of the day we can see new attacks. Sprick from Giant-Shimano was first, and he took the first summit, and after him go Roux and Arashiro.
Astana is controlling the peloton and the gap.
Second intermediate sprint wins Arashiro. There wan no fight for this one.
At 20km to the finish line Quintero from Colombia is trying to break from the peloton.
Sella, Zoidl and Shar are trying to join him.
Even with numerous attacks victory goes to the escapees, to Yukiya Arashiro.
Daniel Teklehaimanot managed to get couple of seconds and he is the man in yellow. Bravo for Daniel. Brilliant ride.
After two days in yellow, Agnoli lost his lead on the last hill of stage number three. Teklehaimanot was determined to gain seconds and he did. With decisive attack he took lead which he has to defend on today’s stage which won’t be easy. Going up and down whole day will make damage to many legs.
From the start Bookwalter (BMC), Phelan (DPC) and O’Brien (HGP) are in a breakaway and peloton is not interested to chase.
After 20km another three riders are leaving from the peloton. They are Barbin (BAR), Knees (SKY) and Ochoa (AND). First group is at over 2’ and second group is 1’14’’ ahead of the peloton.
O'Brien takes first intermediate sprint without fight. Second one goes to Phelan.
71km to the finish line two groups of escapees have merged. They have lead of 2’20’’.
On 57km from the finish lead raised on 3’54’’. MTN-Qhubeka and Europecar have to take charge of the peloton and protect the jersey.
27km from the finish line Cameron Meyer, Dekker, Sella, Rosa, Hansen, Brown, Quintero and Clark are breaking from the peloton. 24km they have 54’’ lead.
Daniel decided it’s time to move to the second breakaway group. Bookwalter, Phelan, Ochoa and Barbin are still in the lead. O’Brien and Knees didn’t have legs for this stage.
We are approaching the finish and the breakaway still has advantage. Cameron Meyer is leading Clark in a sprint.
And Clark wins in front of Nathan Haas and goes to 8th place in general classification. Daniel Teklehaimanot, with fifth place, keeps leader’s jersey safe on his back.
Great effort is used by MTN-Qhubeka to keep Daniel's dream alive. And they are going to do all to help him to win this race.
After two stages with finishes on ascend, this is a flat stage designed for sprinters. Daniel Teklehaimanot with his team will try to control the breakaway and the gap so the jersey could remain in his possession. Of course, there is going to be bold riders ready to push peloton to their limits.
Three-man break has been formed from the start of the stage. Barbin (BAR), who was in a breakaway yesterday, Cooper (HGP) and Jan Polanc, Slovenian from Lampre-Merida. With 155km to the finish, they managed to make a gap of 5’00’’.
MTN-Qhubeka is controlling the gap and the pace at the front of the peloton.
Jan Polanc takes the first summit sprint on today’s stage ahead of Cooper.
After reaching the gap 9’35’’, peloton, with MTN-Qhubeka on the front, has decided to higher the pace.
Second summit sprint – Barbin, Polanc, Cooper.
72km to the finish escapees have 6’00’’. They have great prospect of getting to the finish before the peloton.
1st Int Sprint- Cooper Barbin Polanc
2nd Int Sprint- Polanc Cooper Barbin
3rd Int Sprint- Jan Polanc takes it before Barbin and Cooper.
4th Int Sprint – Cooper Polanc Barbin
10km to the finish breakaway still has 50’’ advantage. IAM Cycling and FDJ are setting the high pace to catch the escapees.
Jan Polanc is reaching the one km marker in front of the peloton. But the bunch is starting a sprint behind his back. Can they catch him?
No they can’t. Polanc is the hero of today’s stage.
Another flat stage with great chances for Daniel Teklehaimanot and his team mates to defend his overall lead.
We can see that the breakaway of three riders has been formed quickly, Battaglin (BAR), Reijnen (UHC) and Didier (TFR).
Battaglin is the strongest on mountain sprint. He beat Didier and Reijnen in the sprint.
Reijnen takes maximal number of points on intermediate sprint without a fight.
With 85km to go escapees have 3’10’’ lead against peloton. 58km Reijnen is caught. Battaglin and Didier are still challenging the peloton.
5km from the finishing line, Battaglin and Didier are caught. Everything is set for a sprint finish.
Victory for Luke Rowe in a bunch sprint finish. Excellent sprint finish from Rowe. Teklehaimanot is keeping his 12'' advantage, so he is still man in yellow, while Simon Clarke is man in green.
This is the last stage of the race La Tropicale Amissa Bongo. With many steep short hills this is an ideal route for punchers. Daniel Teklehaimanot is going to defend his position as general classification leader against riders, especially Agnoli and Lopez, who will try to take that from him.
With 26 degrees it is ideal weather for racing.
There are some brave man attacking and forming the breakaway, Kozontchuk (KAT), Edmonson (SKY), Clarke (DPC), Sutterlin (MOV), Oliveira (LAM), Navardauskas (GRM) and Moinard (BMC).
MTN-Qhubeka is controlling the race.
With 5km to go and breakaway ahead of the peloton, there is an attack from the yellow jersey. He managed to make 15’’.
FDJ is trying to catch him and organize sprint finish. After two km he is caught.
Breakaway has decisive advantage and after a sprint Kozontchuk managed to deliver a victory for Katusha. And celebration can start for Teklehaimanot who won general classification on La Tropicale Amissa Bongo race.
Excellent effort from the whole MTN-Qhubeka squad and especially from Daniel Teklehaimanot who should celebrate biggest win in his career because it is absolutely deserved.
Me: ‘’Hi Daniel, Firstly I want to congratulate you on your greatest win in your career. How are you feeling?’’
DT: “I can’t describe the feeling. It’s amazing to win a stage race, and especially on your continent, in Gabon, it’s absolutely incredible.’’
Me: ‘’Why is this win so important to you?’’
DT: “Because, when I was eighteen years old, it was first edition of this race, I stood on the side of the road, while the cyclist were passing by, and I imagined myself winning, and now my dream is coming through. It is a blast.’’
Me: “I watched highlights from stage 3 when you overtook general classification and it was very amazing attack on the last climb, don’t you think?”
DT: “First of all, I was strong and I felt confident that I could gain couple seconds. That was the key. Agnoli and Lopez didn’t expect it, and that was it. My team managed to keep me in a good position through the whole race and I am happy to celebrate with them victory. ”
Me: ’’I see you are pretty excited. How do you plan to celebrate victory? Do you have something in mind?”
DT: ‘’Oh, I’ll definitely go out with team mates. This is our victory and victory for African cycling definitely.”
Me: “You are the first African who won this race, you know that right? Also, your team mate Merhawi Kudus Gebremedhin finished seventh. It is pretty amazing result for a such young rider.”
DT: “Yes, I know. This is a great day for Merhawi and African cycling and I hope it will be much more days like this one. African cyclists are very talented, but they need teams where to ride and show their talents. I hope this victory will help them to be taken seriously.”
Me: “I hope so, Daniel. Thank you for this Skype interview and see you in a few days in Qatar. Have a great time with your teammates.”
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