Rasmussen: We are here in Xining or 西宁, the capital of Qinghai province in western China.
Since ancient times (some 2100 years or more) a trade hub, for the caravan route between China and Tibet. From 1104 named Xining meaning "peace in the west". The city has a population of approx. 2.2 mil people.
Dongguan Mosque - originally built in 1380.
We have on paper a very strong squad here, with our top sprinter Sondre Holst Enger, and top climber Kenny Elissonde, backed by good lead-out Patrick Clausen/ Mads Würtz Schmidt to help Enger, and Mitchell Lovelock-Fay to help Elissonde, but on the down side Enger is in mediocre form, and Kenny Elissonde’s form is rock bottom. This is a very long stage race, a good exercises before the Vuelta.
We have no set goals, we will just do our best to gain some ranking points.
Pre-race strategy: We expect a mass sprint finish we will stay in the peloton and help set a high pace if necessary.
Profile:
Roster:
Anton Grøn
Kenny Elissonde
Lasse Christiansen
Mads Würtz Schmidt
Martin Pedersen
Mitchell Lovelock-Fay
Patrick Clausen
Sondre Holst Enger
We keep the peloton together to the first intermediate sprint, Martin Pedersen wins the sprint. Then right after the sprint Kenny Elissonde crashes, it is not too bad and he gets back with just a little help.
A breakaway of two riders takes off, it is Louis Verhelst (GUNK) and Tanner Putt (Competitive Cyclist), Verhelst is clearly the stronger of the two.
It is mostly MTN – Qhubeka driving the peloton, but we help a little when we think the pace is to low.
The break is over. We set up a good train, ready for the sprint, Schmidt – Clausen – Enger.
For the 2nd time today, Kenny Elissonde hits the ground, this time in high pace, close to the finish.
Our sprint setup works perfect today, Sondre Holst Enger wins the stage without looking threatened at any point.
Rasmussen: Brilliant first stage. Sondre's 3rd win of the season, and even though it did not look good Kenny Elissonde did just manage to get in with the peloton.
Stage:
1
Sondre Holst Enger
Christina Watches - Onfone
2h59'03
2
Maxime Vantomme
GUNK
s.t.
3
Alex Rasmussen
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
4
Rubén Pérez
Liberty Seguros - Würth
s.t.
5
Fabio Felline
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
6
Patrick Clausen
Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
7
Stéphane Poulhiès
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
8
Danilo Napolitano
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
9
Filippo Baggio
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
10
Joeri Stallaert
GUNK
s.t.
GC:
1
Sondre Holst Enger
Christina Watches - Onfone
2h58'41
2
Maxime Vantomme
GUNK
+ 10
3
Alex Rasmussen
Garmin - Sharp
+ 14
4
Martin Pedersen
Christina Watches - Onfone
+ 16
5
Louis Verhelst
GUNK
s.t.
6
Patrick Clausen
Christina Watches - Onfone
+ 18
7
Tanner Putt
Competitive Cyclist
s.t.
8
Jempy Drucker
Accent Jobs - Wanty
+ 20
9
Rubén Pérez
Liberty Seguros - Würth
+ 22
10
Fabio Felline
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
Points:
1
Sondre Holst Enger
Christina Watches - Onfone
27
2
Maxime Vantomme
GUNK
20
3
Alex Rasmussen
Garmin - Sharp
16
Team: Christina Watches - Onfone
Young: Sondre Holst Enger (Christina Watches - Onfone)
Edited by Tamijo on 29-03-2016 20:52
1/7-8/7 Internationale Österreich Rundfahrt (cat. 2.HC)
8/7 stage 8/8 Podersdorf am See - Wien :138.0 km
Christina reports: Still in Podersdorf, today heading for Vienna, last year the stage was won in a mass sprint finish by Mathieu Drujon FDJ.fr.
St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna was founded in 1137, the main structure was completed in 1160, but major reconstruction and expansion continued. The appearance of the present Cathedral is due to expansion started by Duke Rudolf IV of Austria in 1359 and finished in 1511.
Pre-race strategy: We expect a sprint finish, our main goal is to get Malacarne safely over the line without time loss. We will help Francisco José Pacheco if it comes to a sprint.
Profile
There is a lot of attacking from the start of the race, it ends out with a large breakaway of 10 riders, the best placed and seemingly strongest rider in the break is Johan Mombaerts (AG2R La Mondiale), GC 26 at +11’33.
Today it is mainly Vacansoleil – DCM pulling the peloton, but as we get closer to the line several other teams help the pursuit, the pace is terrible high we have a hard time just holding our riders near the front.
The break is over but we struggle to get a train up, our riders are very tired. The stage is won by Ramunas Navardauskas (RusVelo) over René Mandri (Vorarlberg), our best is Pacheco (11).
Christina: Overall a very good race for us, the management is very happy just expecting a top 10. The drag is that we lost the point jersey on the last stage.
Rasmussen: Still in Xining, today for a very different stage, going over Laji mountain pass with a maximum altitude of 3880 m the HC climb is just 55 km before the finish line, it is unlikely that a very big group will make it together.
Laji Mountain pass:
Pre-race strategy: We expect that only Ellisonde will have a chance on a stage like this, we will help him all we can, but at the same time try to get everyone home within the time limit.
Profile:
It is stunning 39°C, much too hot for a mountain stage like this. Most likely due to the extreme temperature, there are not many serious attempts to breakaway, and the ones trying are caught right away, the peloton hits the mountain together.
About 5 km before the top Ellisonde attacks, the peloton is reduced to about 90 riders passing over the top, but the pace is not that high Ellisonde wins the KoM sprint without losing much energy.
At the descent everything is on hold again, no team feels like leading in this heat, and the peloton fills up from behind, it is soon back to 150 riders, most of our riders get back, Clausen, Pedersen and race leader
Holst Enger.
Then at the last steep part of the descent a surprise attack, it is race favorite Fabio Duarte (Avianca) and Chad Beyer (Champion System)
Every team does their best to catch the break over the last about 25 km, but they can’t close the cap, as the duo is close to the line, Ellisonde attacks heading for 3rd. The winner is Chad Beyer over Fabio Duarte they take 19 sec on the peloton, Beyer is now in yellow.
Rasmussen: The stage turned out very different from our expectations, there was no big fight on Laji mountain, and when the attack finally came, we were of guard planning for a mass sprint finish, but it is still looking good with 3 riders in top 10
Stage:
1
Chad Beyer
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
3h51'31
2
Fabio Duarte
Avianca
s.t.
3
Kenny Elissonde
Christina Watches - Onfone
+ 19
4
Jacques Janse Van Rensburg
MTN - Qhubeka
s.t.
5
Sondre Holst Enger
Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
6
Dennis Van Niekerk
MTN - Qhubeka
s.t.
7
Jani Tewelde
MTN - Qhubeka
s.t.
8
Jonathan Monsalve
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
9
Mitchell Lovelock-Fay
Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
10
Daniel Navarro
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
CG:
1
Chad Beyer
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
6h50'14
2
Fabio Duarte
Avianca
+ 8
3
Sondre Holst Enger
Christina Watches - Onfone
+ 17
4
Maxime Vantomme
GUNK
+ 27
5
Kenny Elissonde
Christina Watches - Onfone
+ 31
6
Martin Pedersen
Christina Watches - Onfone
+ 33
7
Enrico Montanari
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
8
Marcello Pavarin
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
9
Patrick Clausen
Christina Watches - Onfone
+ 35
10
Romain Lemarchand
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
Points:
1
Sondre Holst Enger
Christina Watches - Onfone
39
2
Chad Beyer
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
25
3
Maxime Vantomme
GUNK
20
Mountain:
1
Kenny Elissonde
Christina Watches - Onfone
20
2
Steve Morabito
IAM Cycling
14
3
Sébastien Delfosse
GUNK
12
Team: Champion System Pro Cycling Team
Young : Sondre Holst Enger (Christina Watches - Onfone)
Rasmussen: We are in Guide for a stage heading for Qinghai Lake at the Tibetan Plateau, even though the climb is a category HC, it is very early and it may well be a stage for the sprinters.
Guide (Gui de, 贵德）is a small Tibetan city located at the foot of the Tibetan Plateau on the banks of the Yellow River. The area became part of China in 1370, and the old city's walls and buildings were built between 1375 and 1380.
Yuhang Pavilion (玉皇阁) Guide Old Town, according to some old records late 1300’s, more likely 1600’s.
Pre-race strategy: Hard to say how this stage will unfold, we will stay alert and protect Ellisonde and Holst Enger.
Profile:
Today temperatures are down to “just” 36°C, which will make thing a bit easier for the riders. The morning break is just two riders Louis Verhelst (GUNK) and Duber Quintero (Avianca), a small breakaway like that should not be a problem for the peloton. Over the top of the HC climb, they got just 2’24.
In the peloton Kenny Elissonde attacks near the top, at add some extra points to his KoM lead.
The break is over, and we set up a train of Schmidt – Clausen – Enger, but the high pace and the awful heat is too much for Patrick Clausen, almost empty, he can’t hold the wheel of Mads Würtz Schmidt.
Sondre Holst Enger is now alone without a lead-out he has to start his sprint early. The stage is won by Maxime Vantomme (GUNK) over Alex Rasmussen (Garmin – Sharp), Enger becomes 6th.
Rasmussen: Sadly the train did not work today, but Sondre Holst Enger did fine under the circumstances.
Stage:
1
Maxime Vantomme
GUNK
4h00'34
2
Alex Rasmussen
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
3
Martin Mortensen
Team Cult Energy
s.t.
4
Jempy Drucker
Accent Jobs - Wanty
s.t.
5
Simon Clarke
RusVelo
s.t.
6
Sondre Holst Enger
Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
7
Maksym Averin
Atlas Personal - Jakroo
s.t.
8
Stéphane Poulhiès
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
9
Victor Manakov
RusVelo
s.t.
10
Marcos García
Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
s.t.
GC:
1
Chad Beyer
Champion System Pro Cycling Team
10h50'48
2
Maxime Vantomme
GUNK
+ 7
3
Fabio Duarte
Avianca
+ 8
4
Sondre Holst Enger
Christina Watches - Onfone
+ 17
5
Duber Quintero
Avianca
+ 27
6
Martin Mortensen
Team Cult Energy
+ 31
7
Kenny Elissonde
Christina Watches - Onfone
s.t.
8
Martin Pedersen
Christina Watches - Onfone
+ 33
9
Enrico Montanari
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
10
Marcello Pavarin
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
s.t.
Points:
1
Sondre Holst Enger
Christina Watches - Onfone
49
2
Maxime Vantomme
GUNK
45
3
Alex Rasmussen
Garmin - Sharp
38
Mountain:
1
Kenny Elissonde
Christina Watches - Onfone
32
2
Duber Quintero
Avianca
20
3
Steve Morabito
IAM Cycling
14
Team: Avianca
Young: Sondre Holst Enger (Christina Watches - Onfone)
Rasmussen: We are here at the shores of Qinghai Lake for the start of a very hard stage to Tianjun.
Qinghai Lake (青海湖) translates to Blue Sea Lake, Qinghai is a salt lake located at 3,205 m above sea level on the Tibetan plateau, the largest lake in the People's Republic of China.
Pre-race strategy: Seems like this will be the hardest stage of the race, with two HC climbs, surely one of the stages where the contenders for the final GC will be found. We will help Ellisonde as much as we can.
Profile:
Although it has dropped a little it is still 34°C, too hot for a mountain stage. The morning break is 4 riders, a little later they get company by Meron Russom (Sojasun). They get more that 5 minutes over the top of the first climb, but on the downhill they lose time, and it is down to 3’22 at the foot of the last climb.
The break is soon over and the attacking starts between the favorite on the final climb, it is Sébastien Reichenbach (IAM) countered by John Darwin Atapuma (Katusha) and Daniel Navarro (Garmin), a 2nd group of 4 with Ellisonde is close behind. The peloton with race leader Chad Beyer is now down to 20 riders, 40” behind.
Passing under the 20 km mark, the two front groups have melted together, there are now 7 riders in the front group and the peloton is still losing time, it seems clear that the winner will be found in this group.
The hard pace at front takes its toll, it is first Dennis Van Niekerk (MTN) that has to let go at the 10 km mark, and near 5 km mark also Ellisonde have to slip. Now it is just 5 in the front group.
The five riders in front comes in at the same time, the strongest on the last km is Daniel Navarro (Garmin – Sharp) he wins the stage over Merhawi Kudus (MTN – Qhubeka). We have got a new race leader racing in yellow tomorrow.
Rasmussen: We knew Ellisonde was out of form for this race, so it is a very respectable fight on a hard stage. On a side note the young Anton Grøn often struggling, showed fine form today, ending in the better half of this hard race.
Rasmussen reports: We are here in Tianjun, a town north west of Qinghai Lake, the town is the administrative center of Tianjun County, the county has a population of about 34.000 people, spread over 20.000 km2.
Tianjun County People's Government:
Pre-race strategy: With the relative hilly climb and downhill shortly before the finish, we hope this could be a good chance for Sonder.
Profile:
Again a very hot and rather long stage, the temperature is at 34°C, the morning breakaway gets caught after about 25 km, and then the peloton slows down, almost driving at “parade” speed.
At about 100 km left, a new attack, this time it is Saïd Haddou (AG2R), Fredrik Galta (Joker) and André Steensen (Cult Energy) they get a much more serious gap of more than 5 minutes.
The break gets caught with 9 km left: The pace is very high in the peloton, and due to the relative hard hilly climb most of the sprinter teams have a hard time getting a good train up, every man is on his own.
The sprint was won by Jesús Del Nero (Caja Rural) over Maxime Vantomme (GUNK), Sondre Holst Enger is 5th.
Rasmussen: I was hoping for a bit more than this, it seems our rider are very drained by the heat, I am afraid this might be a long race for some.
- Can hope for a miracle
