After 2 stages where the sprinters had time to shine, now we’re back in time-trial territory and this time teamwork is the name of the game. Yes, it’s time for the 18 km TTT stage in Utrecht which will more than likely filter out the contenders from the pretenders. Let’s see which teams have been slated for TTT glory today
Well, Gjesidige are looking to strengthen their hold on the general classification lead which is in Van Moer’s hands. And if they take the teams standings over from Podium Ambition - the better. But the colorful leading team will not give up that without a fight and will be looking to stake their claim for the GC lead. Then there’s SEE Turtles - the newcomers had pretty quiet 3 stages so far with Hamza being in the Top 10 in the opening TT. A good outcome here could see the Algerian in contention for the GC lead. But we’re now heading to our commentary booth in Utrecht to follow the action from Stage 4
Hello there - the action is already underway with the first team starting in Saeco. They’ll be the first to set the benchmark, which will be easy to beat. 11’50’’ at the first checkpoint
Manda - Coyote had a good time in the previous two stages, but the TT stages are different beasts. They beat Saeco’s time by 13 seconds at the 9 km mark
Babymetal Cycling had a fun time being in the breakaways the last 2 days. 11 seconds behind Manda at the 1st 9 km
Hilcona got a taste of victory yesterday as Havik finished 1st in the sprint dash to the finish. And we see some of the riders struggling with the pace - 8 seconds behind the team from Central America.
Domene is already left behind by our next team in this stage in Caja Rural. Pretty quiet race so far from the Basque team. But so far they set the new standard at the 9 km mark - 11’17”
Air New Zealand also don’t have the best of days in this race as their lead sprinter in Zariff has been seriously underperforming. While they aren’t favorites here, they manage to be just 4 seconds behind Caja
Würth might’ve also expected some better results in this race. But set the new fastest time at the first checkpoint by 3 seconds. In the meantime the first teams have arrived at the finish line. Predictibally, Manda smashed Saeco’s time by 29 seconds.
Adidas - Eurocash have managed to tie their fellow German squad at the first checkpoint as Babymetal finished the stage 20 seconds behind Manda
And Lo Cicero was gobbled up by the next team - Crabbe. Not really their finest day here, but set the new fastest time on the first checkpoint. Hilcona arrived at the finish and oh, no - over a minute behind Caja Rural, who took over the lead by 27 seconds.
JEWA Tirol are next and are 6 seconds behind at the first checkpoint. In the meantime Air New Zealand lost further 11 seconds.
Bordeaux tied the best time at the 9 km mark as Team Würth took over the lead at the finish line by a single second. But Würth in turn were defeated by Adidas by 2 seconds.
SEE Turtles have now taken over as the leaders at the first checkpoint. The lead at the finish changed again with Crabbe beating Adidas’ time by 8 seconds.
Now, we have Tafjord, who are rocking the green jersey with Waersted. Provisional second for now at the first checkpoint. The JEWA Tirol team on the other hand finished the stage just 3 seconds behind Crabbe.
What on earth is going on at Gjensidige - already 20 seconds behind at the 9 km mark. Bordeaux have now taken over as the provisional lead with 9 second gap. But for the pre-race favorites and especially Van Moer it will be a mountain to climb…
…as here comes Podium Ambition. And even they are falling behind at the first checkpoint as they lose 14 seconds. We can only assume that these two teams are saving their strength for the second part.
After ‘speedrunning’ through most of the teams at the finishing line, we’re back with SEE Turtles, who set the new fastest time by 23 seconds.
Tafjord are next and had already swollen Ganjkhanlou from the Ecuadorian team. But they lose further 13 seconds
As if the 20 second gap early on was bad enough, Gjensidige’s problems have gone from bad to worse as their train stretched out. 30 seconds behind SEE Turtles and by the looks of it we may see a new rider in yellow.
With 1 km to go only Podium Ambition has left. 17 seconds behind - not enough to win the stage.
And SEE Turtles have won the TTT in Utrecht. What a win for the team which is in its debut season
This also means that Faycal Hamza is taking over as a leader in the general classification. Two of his teammates are on the podium as well. Gjensidige’s riders dropped out of the Top 10 entirely - it’s a day to forget for the Norwegian team
Waersted keeps his green jersey for another day
If there’s any consolation for Gjensidige - Van Moer still leads the young riders classification. Though they wish he’d have been wearing yellow
And SEE had taken over the lead in the teams standings as well.
Well, that’s it for today - tomorrow it will be the final chance for the sprinters as we will close this tour with a short TT stage which will determine the final standings. Goodbye from us for now.
