Jakob Fuglsang holds tight lead going into final stage in Denmark

[01.08 21:56] The evening time trial at the Tour of Denmark turned into a heart-stopping race for the overall lead as yellow jersey Jakob Fuglsang ran up against some stiff competition coming from the third placed rider from the Ceramica-Flaminia team, Maurizio Biondo. Biondo put in a smoking time, taking the stage victory and moving to within three seconds of the overall lead. Fuglsang rode a very strong time himself, though with only three seconds buffering him at the finish meant that he sent many hearts racing in the Saxo Bank camp.

Exciting stage

“It was a very, very exciting stage,” Directeur Sportif Dan Frost exclaimed. After having raced so hard in the morning stage to bring back the breakaway, there were certainly going to be a lot of tired legs in the time trial. The team had full confidence coming into the stage that Fuglsang would be able to hold his lead. “I actually think that I did a pretty good time trial,” Fuglsang explained. “But the Ceramica guy did an amazing time and gained 28 seconds.” Using the time splits of his teammates as a gauge, Fuglsang felt that he was on a good time from the beginning. “At the first time split I was very close, but halfway through I was already 20 seconds back on the winner,” Fuglsang said. “In the end I was able to hold the leader’s jersey, but it was very close.” Contrary to the strong winds that buffeted the riders in the morning stage, the evening was fairly calm.

Challenging double-stage day

Any time riders have to race two stages in one day, it increases the challenge of both events. Fuglsang feels though that it is all part of the job. “The last few years I have done well in the evening time trial, and there has always been a stage earlier in the day,” he said. “It’s hard of course, since you have to get ramped up twice in one day, but I can deal with it pretty well.” Finishing so late in the evening also complicates recovery. Sunday’s final stage will test the Saxo Bank team’s ability to recover and race under pressure. With only three seconds separating first and second, anything can still happen. “I think we can still defend the lead,” Fuglsang predicted. “The guys are very strong and know how to race even with the highest expectations on them.” Sunday’s weather which is predicted to be cold and rainy will certainly add another level of difficulty. “I of course prefer the warmer weather, but it is the same for everyone,” Fuglsang said. “If it is a nasty weather day, I think we will still be able ride for the win.”

Photo by: CorVos Pro